Hi,

I am afraid as you were in a 30mph zone to begin with and you did not see any 40mph sign (and were still in an area of street lighting) then the 30mph limit is still in force.

I appreciate what you are saying about the 40mph limit previously being in force. However, you have to look at how far you travelled from the old 40mph sign to the position of the camera. All the indications are there that there is a change (the school signage etc).

It is ultimately difficult to speculate how a magistrate would view your evidence (certainly the signage could be better). I would advise going onto 5ive0.com and posting FAO Old_Codger. He is a magistrate and would give you a pretty good opinion on how he would rule on it.

One small point or criticism they may lay against you is the fact you did not notice the lack of 40 mph sign. It may be construed that you lacked observation.

Try Old_Codger, he is the best bet, or see a lawyer.

Regards

Hi' date='

I am afraid as you were in a 30mph zone to begin with and you did not see any 40mph sign (and were still in an area of street lighting) then the 30mph limit is still in force.

I appreciate what you are saying about the 40mph limit previously being in force. However, you have to look at how far you travelled from the old 40mph sign to the position of the camera. All the indications are there that there is a change (the school signage etc).

It is ultimately difficult to speculate how a magistrate would view your evidence (certainly the signage could be better). I would advise going onto 5ive0.com and posting FAO Old_Codger. He is a magistrate and would give you a pretty good opinion on how he would rule on it.

One small point or criticism they may lay against you is the fact you did not notice the lack of 40 mph sign. It may be construed that you lacked observation.

Try Old_Codger, he is the best bet, or see a lawyer.

Regards[/quote']

Cheers

Thanks for that

Definitely pay up. Cheaper and it's sorted then.

That's the whole problem with the current set-up. Effectively we're being bribed into rolling over and handing out our cash.

I would go to court. The signs aren't very consistent, there are no signs to indicate the speed limit in one direction. If it was 40 mph before, I think it should be made clear that this has changed.

Hopefully, you can get them on a technicality. Signs are often technically incorrect.

To be honest, the new set-up smacks of a trap for motorists: if they really wanted people to slow down, they'd clearly post the new limit.

There's a recent speed limit change in Reading, along Berkfield Avenue. If you're going into Reading along the A33, bear left onto Rose Kiln Lane and then at the end (just after a speed limit 30 sign), at the T-junction, turn left into Berkfield Avenue.

You're now in a 30 limit (which has always been there). You drive 300-400 yards, past an Esso garage on the right. Carry on up the hill, drive past a set of recently installed traffic lights. Right there, the road used to change to a 40. 50 yards further, there's a speed camera.

About a month or two ago, that 40 sign was removed, effectively turning that section of road back to a 30. There was never any "Speed limit changed" sign posted. Nothing at all indicated a change of speed limit. The only "indication" was the removal of the 40 sign.

I think we're now into triple figures for the number of locals that have been flashed doing 35-38 because they thought they were in a 40.

I can totally understand how you feel about it. I nearly got caught out. I was following some cars in front at that bit of road. Where the 40 sign was, they accelerated thinking it was now changed to 40 and obviously not noticing the sign has been removed, only to be flashed by the gatso 50 yards later. I suddenly realised the sign had been removed and the camera reset to trigger for a 30 limit.

Damn sneaky if you ask me

Thanks for the support, chaps.

I'm inclined to go to court. Yes I may risk having to fork out more money (having to pay court costs), but if I don't - well I'm accepting something I feel is totally wrong.

To others that feel the opposite, that I should pay up and shut up - I'll give an example:

Your local shop has been offering a local magazine for free for the last 15 years. They're stacked up on a shelf close to the entance to the shop. You pop in regularly for this local magazine, sometimes you make a purchase (packet of fags, sweets) at the same time or sometimes you just take a magazine.

Then, suddenly, shop gets greedy. They start charging for said magazine. A price ticket is now displayed alongside magazine. The next time you pop in for the magazine, you don't notice the price ticket (the ticket is small, there's people in the way, etc). You grab one and leave the shop.

One week later, a letter comes through your door accusing you of theft. They go on to say they have pics of you from their instore camera and will be issuing a summons.

Still feel the same?

I sympathise Simon but were you driving or buying Magazines?? On the same point about speed limit changes what about this one. Countryside road to go from 60 to 30,10 yards from turning with school 20 yards up it, kids walked up this busy road every day to get to school, but they never slowed it. My lad was hit last year fortunatley by a car doing the regulated 30 thank god, not with us mind you. They have now moved the 30 mile per hour sign further up the road, so it still goes from 30 to 60 but much further away and they have placed rumble strips also near the school turning, BUT they have still left the national speed limit applies sign on a lamp post 5 meters behind the 30 sign. What happens if you get zapped then???????????