New Signs Installed After A38 Speed Camera Mix-Up

[RobBrady]

New signs have been erected at the Berkeley Road bridge on the A38 in Berkeley Gloucestershire following 503 drivers being incorrectly fined.

The original signage contained a grey border instead of the legally required yellow to inform people of the speed change from a 50mph zone to a 30mph zone to help alleviate pressure on a deteriorated steel-truss bridge.

According to a Gloucestershire Highways spokesman the original speed limit sign was incorporated with the weak bridge plate within a border.

He commented, "The new signs have separated these so that they are mounted on a single backing board but without the border. We have also added additional signs on all approaches of the new limit."

As a result of complaints led by the local Gazette and its readers, police wrote to the motorists who were wrongly fined to inform them that their fines were to be refunded and the associated points on their licenses removed.

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Robert Brady

[GerryC]

It was the black border around the dark grey backing board (which looked a bit too dark anyway) that was the problem - you "must not" have it so it made the whole sign illegal. The yellow backing is an option for the standard grey but should only be used in exceptional circumstances. It's so overused now though that it's no longer exceptional.

There's a link half way down the article to an older one with the "before" photo. It also has a comment from someone who seems to know what he's talking about and his interactions with the police.

Gerry

[Graculus]

I'm not saying that the regulations around road-signage are straightforward, they're probably quite technical and possibly confusing in some areas. But the people in the various highways authorities who are responsible for making the signs really should be extremely familiar with them, as it's their bread and butter. And if not, they should check whenever a new sign is commissioned. This isn't the first ever story about non-comformant signage, and won't be the last. I think the ultra-confusing parking restriction signs must be some of the worst.

[carl_w]

[exportman]

Councils are responsible for signage on local roads everything is either cheapest price or preferred supplier (companies pay to be on a preferred supplier list so they can charge what they like)

So every council probably get some local outfit to make the sign. Plus the order is probably sent from some junior clerk who has had little or no training.

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