Drivers confused on road with ‘idiotic’ signs that show two speed limits
By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter
Drivers have been left baffled by conflicting speed limit signs on a road.
Painted markings indicating that Streatham High Road was a 20mph zone appeared next to an existing 30mph sign on the busy thoroughfare last week.
Motorists travelling down the 1.8 mile road have been left scratching their heads at the contradictory signage, unsure which speed limit to follow.
Transport for London (TfL) confirmed the speed limit on the road remains 30mph and said all signs would be replaced ahead of a new 20mph speed limit coming into force in December.
But the delay in updating the signs had left some motorists confused, with drivers struggling to understand why they had not been updated sooner.
Alex Mapp, 41, said he did a double take when he passed the conflicting signs on his way back from the supermarket on Monday.
He said: “I slowed down because of the new road markings, but then seeing that sign totally threw me off.
“It made me question if I was seeing okay. It’s ridiculous that no one spotted this when they were drawing the new signs on the road. I come down here regularly, but can you imagine if you didn’t know the area? It’s very confusing.”
Commuter Florence Mccallum said other drivers seemed spooked by the conflicting signs.
She said: “It’s so idiotic. You have drivers slowing down then speeding up and then slamming the brakes on again. It’s so, so confusing for everyone. Nobody knows what they’re doing. It needs sorting out soon.”
A TfL spokesman said: “To reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads, we are currently in the process of introducing 65km of new 20mph speed limits in Lambeth and other boroughs in South London.
“The speed limit on Streatham High Road remains 30mph until the new limits come into force in December. We are installing new signs and all signage will be updated before the lower speed limit comes into force.”
Pictured top: Conflicting speed limit signs on Streatham High Road, Lambeth on October 9, 2023 (Picture: Robert Firth)
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