Motorists and MPs call for action over thousands of fines handed to drivers during temporary speed restrictions on A20 between Sidcup and Swanley

Motorists and politicians are demanding action over thousands of “deeply unfair” and “life-altering” fines handed to drivers following a change in speed limit.

Restrictions on part of the A20, between Crittall’s Corner, in Sidcup, and the Swanley Interchange, were dropped temporarily from 70mph and 50mph to 40mph in October 2023.

It was introduced by Transport for London (TfL) along the Kent-bound carriageway as an “emergency” due to safety concerns over surface water flooding, which had caused vehicles to aquaplane and crash.

The speed limit was reinstated in August last year following permanent drainage works on the road.

However, whilst the temporary 40mph limit was in place, it is understood more than 60,000 notices of intended prosecution (NIPs) were issued to motorists for speeding by the Metropolitan Police.

Many have argued they were unaware the speed restrictions had changed and claimed there was “inadequate” and small signage while others have pointed to conflicting signs, with at least one 50mph marker still being up in January last year.

Drivers were calling for the NIPs to be revoked but the Met Police said it would not be cancelling them and any appeals would need to be challenged in court.

Director of motoring solicitors Patterson Law, Dominic Smith, who was advising people who received fines, previously said some could have a case if they could prove the signs were “confusing”.

John Parkhouse is one driver who is waiting for his day in court after receiving four NIPs for driving at 46mph, 47mph, 48mph and 52mph on his way to work in Sevenoaks.

He said he was unaware the road was no longer a 50mph zone until he received the fines through the post and believes the signs were poor.

The semi-retired builder is part of a group with other drivers who had been caught out and told KentOnline some of its members had tried to fight their case in court.

However, he claimed they were told their arguments over signage were “too technical” for the magistrates which their barristers branded “unbelievable” and are now looking to appeal the rulings.

John added: “The more this unravels, it is getting worse and worse. It is getting absolutely ludicrous.

“People have lost their jobs, their homes, they are losing everything.

“It is more than just injustice, it is a clear case of entrapment. The truth of the matter is that this has all been about money.

“It is almost worse than the Post Office scandal. I am waiting for the whole thing to be exposed, it is disgusting.”

Now, MPs are also demanding London mayor Sadiq Khan reconsider his position on the issue and act to address it after hundreds of their constituents were fined.

Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott has sent a letter to the mayor alongside the MP for Orpington, Gareth Bacon, and the MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, Louie French.

It explained that their constituents strongly believed the signage was inadequate, many were fined for travelling at speeds less than 50mph and accumulated several NIPs due to using the commuter route daily.

The letter added: “For some, this meant losing their driving licences and ability to drive to work.

“In our view, the sheer number of fines issued during this period should be considered prima facie evidence of the inadequacy of the signage for the temporary speed restrictions.

“We therefore strongly believe these fines were deeply unfair, and some of our decent, hard-working, constituents have been left with life-altering consequences because of a temporary speed restriction.

“This is completely unacceptable. Please act to address it.”

They have also backed calls for an independent investigation made by Cllr Thomas Turrell, who is also the Bexley and Bromley representative at the London Assembly, the governing body which holds the Mayor of London to account.

In a statement, he claims TfL had “botched” the speed limit restrictions and drivers deserved answers on how it went so wrong and what lessons have been learnt since.

However, a spokesperson for TfL said the 40mph signage installed was “correct and compliant with the regulations”.

They added: “Safety is our number one priority, and we temporarily introduced a 40mph speed limit on the A20 Sidcup Road in response to a number of incidents caused by ongoing flooding issues, which posed a risk to life.

“New regular speed limit signage, compliant with all traffic sign regulations, was installed to ensure that everyone driving on this stretch of road was aware of the new limit.”