It has been widely reported that Rishi Sunak is to announce new motorist-friendly policies that might inhibit the introduction of more LTNs, restrict more 20 mph speed limits and times of bus lanes might be relaxed. On BBC Radio Manchester he argued that prioritising driving was the best policy as the vast majority of journeys are made by car. He has that right at least so why are we spending billions of pounds on HS2 which will be used by very few people? It should surely be scrapped.
Mark Harper, Transport Minister, said this on Twitter: ”Too often the private car is vilified by Labour politicians and sneered at by the metropolitan bubble, when it has been one of the most powerful forces for personal freedom & economic growth”. But will this fine rhetoric which will no doubt be lapped up at the Conservative Party Conference this week be followed up by action to control local councillors who introduce silly speed limits. Or Sadiq Khan in London or Mark Drakeford in Wales (petition against default 20 limit in Wales now has more than 450,000 signatures but is still being ignored!).
More details in this Government statement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-new-long-term-plan-to-back-drivers
If the Conservatives follow through on this agenda it will certainly win them some votes.
A20 Speed Limits
Meanwhile the latest imposition of an unreasonable speed limit has been imposed in the last few days on the A20 between Crittalls Corner in Sidcup and the BP service station/McDonalds before the Swanley M25 junction (eastbound only). The speed limit has been reduced to 40 from 70 and signs for average speed cameras put up and 40 repeater signs also so presumably this is a permanent change. It is unknown why this change has been made although it has been suggested that it is due to road flooding which requires some work on the road which may not be done until May 2024. However it is a ridiculously low speed limit for such a dual-carriageway.
The country is grinding to a halt because of unreasonable speed limits which will mean enormous numbers of drivers will get fines even when driving at safe speeds.
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We need to remove the powers that councils enjoy and have stuff like this put to a vote,if the powers that be can’t use common sense.
another con for money, its an open road, no houses or any obstructions to need to reduce the speeds
Nope. temporary solution til they fix the drainage issue which led to this and other fatal accidents… https://youtu.be/-9F_siRXT6I?si=DGxXCArXXO1o8Ekq
Does anyone know when the fixed camera just Oposite the Nuffield health Center going coast bound on the A20 was changed to 40mph and when it went live ?
Does anyone know when the fixed camera on the coast bound a20 Oposite the Nuffield health Center was changed to 40mph and when it went live ? Cheers
It makes absolutely no sense in reducing from 70 to 40mph. Which genius thought of that? Funny how there is no money to fix pot holes yet cameras for catching the motorist seem to be er3cted with no money issues whatsoever
. The A20 is a dual carriageway no residents! This needs to be reversed!
Temporary reduction until major civil engineering project fixes the drainage issues causing cars to aquaplane. This is why… https://youtu.be/-9F_siRXT6I?si=DGxXCArXXO1o8Ekq
Another reason to make sure that this disaster of a mayor is NotElected again !!!
Nothing to do with Khan, TfL have no jursidiction on that stretch of raod. National Highways introduced this temporary speed limit until they fix the drainage problem after resurfacing it.
Three major accidents due to aquaplaning and luckily only one death are why… https://youtu.be/-9F_siRXT6I?si=DGxXCArXXO1o8Ekq
If there was concern for people safety why haven’t they fixed the problem already instead of hidiing speed cameras up in tree line…catching drivers out with there ridiculous speed limits when this is a dual carriage way ..Also why haven’t they changed the speed on other side of carriage way as this floods aswell…or are they waiting to get enough money with these nip to pay for the work
How totally unfair this whole driver persecution is, this has always been a 70MPH safe dual carriageway, what possible reason is there to change it to 40MPH other than to raise revenue.
To add insult to injury, I now have to pay ULEZ at £11.50 as my brother is 100 yds into it.
See you all, come the revolution.
I have just been caught speeding on this stretch of motorway, at 46 and then 49 miles per hour. At 71 years old I should not have to defend myself from such spurious, barely legal demands for fines which to all sensible people are not really contraventions of the law! we need a strong, widely publiscised defence to attack the unfairness of this situation, any takers?
I have just been done by a Camera that has apparently gone into effect near Sandy Lane Eastbound doing 55mph in what I understood was a 70mph area. I did not see any signs telling me the speed has been reduced and my car still registers the speed on the automated car system as it being a 70mph area. I am now facing a police prosecution and a fine/points. I only came onto the road at Critters corner junction! This has always been a motorway and the speed was always 50 until after Crittals corner when it went up to 70. When did this change all take place?
This change was made a few weeks ago due to concerns about the road flooding and creating a safety hazard.
There were no signs up to say there was a reduction in speed at the joining slip road, I have a speeding fine. I have never received any fines in my life and I’m a careful driver, this is plain wrong!
I just got a speeding ticket for 52mph when I’ve been using this road for years. A20 slip road I took towards McDonalds and shocked! Now 40mph and before was 70mph! It’s second nature to put your foot down as joining the A20 because of the oncoming traffic to the right approaching.
I also have been caught out by this money making scheme, for most of my life living in this area the speed limit has been 70MPH and reducing part of the road to only 40MPH from the slip road joining the A20 is a crime in its self. How many people have been caught out by this new system? Is this another Post office like scandal in the making by the Major of London? time to make a stand.
It’s not a money making scheme. It’s to save lives. Please see my comment in this thread with evidence of why this temporary limit has been introduced.
The restrictions should only be in force when the conditions dictate. This road is perfectly safe in dry conditions. The signage should have been electronic designed to activate in wet conditions. For the majority of the time there is no extra risk
I too have just received my first NIP, i am sure at least 4 more will follow as i use this road every day, so i will be facing a ban. This is just a money grabbing scheme, 40mph is far too low on a stretch of road that has always been 70mph. i would love to see the accident figures for this stretch prior to this new limit, as they are saying it is to increase safety.
I have also just rec’d a NIP for doing 46 on the same stretch which has been 50mph for as long as I can remember. Its insanity to make this piece of road a 40mph limit
Has anyone had any joy in appealing this as i too have just received one and likely another 1 or 2 will follow!
Hi, I need to also know if any one has had joy appealing. Thanks
i have 2 now, there is a facebook page which has been set up , support for a20 speeding fines
I to have been caught with the 40mph speed limit..I travel that way ..Already received 2 probably more to follow..always been a 70mph..
I also received a NIP 28/12/2023 from joining the road at Crittalls Corner Junction traveling East I don’t recall seeing any speed restriction signs and the cameras used were not marked or obvious. I was doing 66mph which was considered too high for an awareness course or fixed penalty so Court Proceedings are intended. At least there will be an opportunity to defend the issue. I am not local.
I’ve received 2 NPI and my husband 3…In He’s job he needs his license as he’s a lorry driver…if he receives anymore he will lose his job and with no income coming in we could lose everything as he is the man wage earner…we now dread seeing the postman…
There are clearly a large number of people being caught by the new speed limit. It may be worth going to court and defending it on the basis that the signage is inadequate and easy to miss.
Otherwise you should complain to your Member of Parliament and to National Highways who are responsible for that road – see https://nationalhighways.co.uk/
National Highways manages that section of road, not the local council or TfL. After resurfacing works, major drainage problems started to occur during heavy rainfall events. This resulted in 3 major incidents including a fatality, and two cars ploughing into the petrol pumps at the BP service station after aquaplaning (video link below). The solution is to put a temporary speed restriction in place until a drainage solution can be provided. Works commenced some time ago at the side of that road and 2024 will see works commence on the road surface itself. The 40mph limit is to save lives not make money. Please amend this article accordingly.
https://youtu.be/-9F_siRXT6I?si=DGxXCArXXO1o8Ekq
Thanks for clarifying why the speed limit was imposed. But clearly the signage is inadequate as so many people are being fined when they should not be.
I see no reason to amend the article as your added comments provide the explanation.
If on a motorway there is fog then signs reduce the limit till the fog clears. If there is ice then signs reduce the limit till the ice clears etc, etc. how difficult would it have been to put in place digital signage to reduce the limit when excessive rain floods that part of the road. Then once it had drained turn off the signs. Not sure how often it does flood but I guess not that often. To just say, let’s ’belt and braces’ make it 40 permanently is ridiculous. Your argument falls well flat by the fact that the other side of the road which also floods is still 70. Hiding cameras in trees is not taking quick action to alleviate a hazardous situation. The huge amount of drivers picking up multiple NIPs, losing there licences, jobs etc when previously not having picked up an NIP for decades even ever, on that stretch of road suggests the met police/highways etc have got it wrong on this one. But I guess the vast revenue it has created makes them turn a blind eye to it. It leaves a bad taste in mouth I afraid to say.
on the Sidcup A20 new Average speed limit , i have been sent 3 notices , within a week , i got 3 tickets by the same camera where, the road i use almost everyday for last 5 years …ridiculous , i am pretty sure the reason for this unreasonable speed limit is to trap drivers and make Money for the bankrupt councils .
My daughter passed test in sept 22, first car a few months later. Never speeds, races etc, does 20 in 20 roads even with cars behind beeping impatiently. Picked up 2 NIPs in 3 days on this stretch of road. Live sat nav said 70 limit, she was going 49 and 59 and has picked up 100 fine and 3 points. Now is 3 points away from losing licence being a new driver. She uses this road regularly for work. The fear of the postman in days after the 2 NIPs came was terrifying, could have easily been 5 or 6. She is really upset over this. I have watched the accident video which is really scary. Could easily have been much worse. So yes, something did need doing. But why not temporary flashing signs reducing the speed when heavy rain falls. Reducing from 70 to 40 is big change. Just putting up the little round 40 signs on lampposts every 200yds is not sufficient for such a big drop. Is anyone considering opting for the court appearance to challenge their NIP. Seems crazy that it is such an extreme choice. Pay the fine or go to court. Why is there no appeal option with the met police?
Very very true. Silly tricks like this puts a criminal offences on law abiding citizens. I am interested in updates as I am also affected. Thanks
I have also been unfortunate like the rest of you! The A20 has always had 40 limit from 5 ways, passed the American golf place & changed to 50 limit before the Sidcup & St’Mary’s Hospital interchange, then carried on 50 limit until passed McDonalds, then has the 2 lanes become 3 increased to 70! I was caught traveling at 47 where it’s now 40 limit A20 Eastbound, West of Sandy Lane to East Cookham Road! I now have to attend online speed awareness course! I don’t mind attending the course, but I do feel this is such an unjustified when the road for years was 50 then 70! I feel all of your frustrations.
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NIP in the post today for travelling 59mph in a 40 limit A20 Eastbound, West of Sandy Lane to East Cookham Road!
If I was driving carelessly I would take it on the chin. I always thought this was a 70mph and my Sat Nav indicates that. Travelled this road for years.
Am I going blind!! Where are the cameras and info about 40mph.