Mayor of London Sadiq Khan faces accusations of a cover-up concerning temporary speed limit changes on the A20, which may have resulted in over 66,000 drivers being wrongfully fined. Critics allege that the traffic order authorizing the speed reduction was unlawful, potentially invalidating all fines collected.
In October 2023, the speed limit on the A20 between Sidcup and Swanley was lowered from 70 mph to 40 mph due to safety concerns related to cars swerving in wet conditions. A speed camera installed on this stretch reportedly captured over 66,000 drivers in a year before the original 70 mph limit was reinstated after drainage work was completed. Each driver received a £100 fine and three penalty points, leading some to lose their licenses or jobs.
Documents reportedly indicate that Transport for London (TfL) staff were aware of the potential unlawleness of the speed limit change as early as two years ago. Despite this, TfL managers and Metropolitan Police officers testified in court that the speed limit change was implemented legally. However, a recent Crown Court judgment has raised the possibility of refunds for fined drivers and the dismissal of their convictions.
During a court case where a driver was acquitted of speeding, a document marked 'TfL RESTRICTED' was presented. This document suggested that Gary Oliver, an Area Manager in Asset Operation who signed off on the speed change, did not have the proper authority. This contradicted information from a previous Freedom of Information request.
It is also alleged that Sadiq Khan vetoed a request for an independent investigation into the fines when the matter was brought before the London Assembly last year. Furthermore, Khan has reportedly refused demands to address the issue in a letter from three Conservative MPs: Laura Trott, Louie French, and Gareth Bacon.
Thomas Turrell, the London Assembly Conservatives' transport spokesman, described the fines as "an almighty motoring miscarriage of justice" and stated that "thousands of motorists have been sacrificed on the altar of the mayor's inability to admit that a mistake has been made."
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London asserted that it is "incorrect to suggest that the mayor or TfL misled anybody" and that TfL remains confident the enforcement was necessary due to safety risks. The spokesperson added that "no wrongdoing was alleged by the court, Traffic Regulation Orders were made lawfully, and all TfL staff acted in accordance with authorisation."
A TfL spokesman echoed these sentiments, stating that "any suggestion of wrongdoing, or that evidence or information was improperly withheld, is false." TfL maintains that the speed limit enforcement was necessary due to safety risks and that the Crown Court ruling does not set a binding precedent. They also indicated support for the Metropolitan Police in resisting upcoming appeals. TfL reiterated that the temporary 40 mph limit was implemented in response to serious incidents caused by flooding, posing a risk to life, and was removed after the road was repaired and resurfaced.