Shock over bizarre loophole on Nuneaton road that has ‘no enforceable speed limit’

A driver has been left shocked over a bizarre loophole on road in Nuneaton[1] that has no enforceable speed limit. The motorist, who has asked not to be named, was caught speeding during a mobile speed camera operation on the stretch of Nuneaton Road as it heads from Whitestone towards Bulkington. He was accused of travelling faster than the 30pmh speed limit, so he paid the GBP100 fine and accepted the three points.

But then he said he was tipped off that the 30pmh Traffic Restriction Order (TRO) on the stretch of road between the Corner House and Peugeot Garage is not in place. And the resident claimed it has voided the previous 40mph TRO, which was in place before the 30mph, effectively removing all restrictions on that stretch of road, rendering the ticket he received from a mobile speed camera unlawful. He told CoventryLive that he decided to dig further and contacted Warwickshire[2] County Highways Department to clarify the situation.

He claimed that he received information from its legal team that confirms that the road is not subject to a legally enforceable restriction. "So the B4112 Nuneaton Road between Chetwynd Drive Nuneaton and Weston Lane Bulkington is not subject to enforceable speed restrictions," he said. "GBP100 and three points returned leaving me again with a clean licence and a rare apology." He said that while he accepts speeding is an offence, he added that people may have been fined when the restrictions cannot be enforced.

CoventryLive has repeatedly contacted Warwickshire County Council[4] as it is responsible for highways in the county. The local authority has yet to come back to us with a comment about the situation.

'Technical loophole'

We also contacted Warwickshire Police[5] and, in a statement, Inspector Dave Valente warned drivers that this doesn't mean they can speed.

"It's important for us all to remember why posted speed limits exist," Insp Valente said. "Speeding is an ongoing contributory factor in deaths and serious injuries on Warwickshire's roads. "As part of the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership, we are aiming to reduce the number of those killed or seriously injured on Warwickshire's roads by 50 per cent by 2030. To achieve this, and to reduce the risk of harm on our roads, motorists should comply with the displayed speed limits at all times.

"In doing so they keep others safe, are not likely to face any enforcement action, nor will they need to rely on the possibility of finding a technical loophole if they have driven in a way that endangers themselves and others."

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References

1. ^ Nuneaton (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
2. ^ Warwickshire (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
3. ^ Bad weather blamed as hundreds of homes in Nuneaton hit by intermittent power blackouts (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
4. ^ Warwickshire County Council (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
5. ^ Warwickshire Police (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
6. ^ For all the latest Nuneaton news sign up to our daily newsletter here. (data.reachplc.com)