RE: A20 Speed Limits
Dear Sadiq,
I am writing regarding serious failures in Transport for London’s (TfL) A20 speed reduction between October 2023 and October 2024.
As you are surely aware there were a number of significant issues with the scheme’s implementation. These include 40mph signage that was half the size required under DfT guidelines – 450mm instead of 900mm – and was completely missing from both the central reservation and near the average speed camera signs. It appears that TfL have followed the guidance for permanent signage not temporary signage. I have also seen evidence of the signage being non-compliant with the way it was fixed to the mounting post, which could have been extremely hazardous in the event of an accident.
Furthermore, there is a disparity, relating to the Traffic Order. The original traffic order appears to have been signed by the wrong Officer. It is alleged that the order (0622) itself and its background paperwork were not published on the TfL website. The officer who is named on the order does not appear on the audit record of the sign off process.
In addition, an FOl has revealed that the Metropolitan Police were not told of the reduction until the 9th October 2023 when the order was dated the 6th October 2023. The order came into effect on the 18th October 2023.
Given this, I hope you will agree that there is sufficient evidence that TiL mismanaged the temporary suspension and did not properly follow the guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT). I would also note that TiL has been quite dismissive when concerns have been raised previously, including a 7 March 2024 reply to Louie French MP, which I have attached. As such, I’d like you, as Chair of IfL, to commission an independent investigation into this to answer the following questions:
- Did TfL follow all relevant statutory instruments in relation to the temporary speed limits on the A20 Sidcup by-pass between October 2023 and October 2024?
- Did all signage comply with the correct rules and regulations such as the Signage
Manual? - Did all speed cameras and their signage comply with all the correct rules and regulations?
This is a matter of some concern to a great many of my constituents so I would appreciate a swift response to this email, which I am publishing in the interests of transparency.
Yours sincerely
Thomas Turrell AM
London Assembly Member for Bexley & Bromley