Transport for London (TfL) confirmed this week that the speed limits on the A20 near Sidcup will be restored on 30 October 2024 after a year of disruption and countless tickets for drivers due to poor signage.
Since roadworks began to tackle flooding issues on a small section of the A20, the speed limit was reduced to 40mph in October last year. However, many drivers were fined, especially in the Christmas and New Year period, as many were unaware of the change, and at least one sign wrongly said the speed limit was still 50mph.
Old Bexley and Sidcup MP Louie French led a group of fifteen local Conservative MPs in demanding the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, improve the signage in place and investigate the failure to better inform drivers of the lowered speed limit and cancel all potentially wrongly imposed fines. Frustratingly, only some of these demands were agreed to, and the total number of fines has still not been disclosed by either TfL or the Metropolitan Police.
Following work by Louie French MP and Thomas Turrell AM, TfL confirmed this week that the original speed limits will be restored on 30 October 2024.
Louie French MP said: "The Labour Mayor and TfL botched the temporary speed limit during these disruptive road works on the A20. As a result, hundreds of unsuspecting drivers (we still don’t know the total number) were fined and issued points on their driving licences. With some facing the possibility of losing their licence, this mess has upset many.
"I'm pleased that, at last, Transport for London has confirmed the original speed limits on the A20 near Sidcup will soon be restored. But I know many drivers continue to battle fines in court. TfL must learn from this debacle to ensure drivers aren't given mixed messages on speed limits and that our roads are as safe as possible”.
