Speed limit signs useless because of council blunder

A WEST Berkshire Council blunder over road signs meant that police were unable to prosecute speeding motorists in Kintbury.
The 20mph signs were put up two years ago following years of pressure from Kintbury Parish Council.
However, when they were finally erected by West Berkshire Council, the dimensions of the road they applied to did not correspond with those on the the legal paperwork – rendering them useless.
Police had notified the council about the probem, but the latter were unable to confirm when.
When asked about the discrepancy, a spokeswoman for West Berkshire Council, Joanne Bassett, said: “Prosecutions are a police matter, although the indications are that no one was prosecuted during this time.
“The signage was correctly placed – it was a difference in the dimensions of the zone specified in the original schedule of September 5, 2011.
“It is generally unlikely for someone to be able to do more than 20mph in those areas because of the traffic-calming measures that are in place.”
However, neighbourhood police community support officer Joanna King said: “Speeding is the main issue in the village.
“It’s frustrating – I’ve been out there with a speed indication device and more often than not motorists are exceeding the limit.
However, she said that they were unable to prosecute anyone because of the discrepancy.
“We wrote to West Berkshire Council and they told us that it could take six to seven months to sort it out, but didn’t give any reason as to why,” she added.
The council implemented a new speed limit amendment order in July, with which the signs now comply.
Pcso King said: “I need to speak to the council myself and see if we are now able to enforce the speed limit.”