Our MPs, Laura Trott, Gareth Bacon and Louie French, write to Sadiq Khan again

Dear Sadiq,

Re: A20 Sidcup Bypass – Temporary Speed Limit

We write to you again on behalf of our constituents who were fined for speeding when Transport for London introduced a “temporary” speed restriction on the A20 Eastbound near Sidcup.

Earlier this year we were contacted by hundreds of our constituents who had been issued speeding fines as they had been unaware of the temporary reduction in speed limit from 70mph and 50mph to 40mph on this stretch of the A20.

The vast majority of constituents who contacted us strongly believe the signage for the temporary restriction was inadequate and they were fined for travelling at speeds less than 50mph.

As this is a commuter route and, due to processing times for tickets, we all have constituents who were unaware of the speed restriction and made the same journey at their usual travelling speeds daily which resulted in them accruing numerous tickets. For some, this meant losing their driving licences and ability to drive to work.

The works programme has now ended and the previous speed limits on the A20 have been reinstated.

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 limit restriction. This completely unacceptable. Please act to address it.

Yours sincerely,