Wandsworth council trial to fine drivers blocked by Government
By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter
A trial scheme which saw drivers become the first in England to face being fined by a local council for speeding has been blocked.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has stopped Wandsworth council contacting drivers caught breaking 20mph limits and said the way the authority used its powers to enforce it was “unlawful”.
The Labour-run council put up speed cameras to catch drivers breaking 20mph limits in two roads in the borough where residents often complained about speeding in November 2022.
The eight-month pilot scheme meant drivers caught breaking the rules in Wimbledon Park Road and Priory Lane faced up to £130 fines from the council – with the penalty charge notice slashed to £65 if paid in 14 days – with no points added to their licences.
The council previously said the scheme could be made permanent and extended to other roads in the borough if successful, as well as being rolled out across the capital.
But the DfT said it had asked the DVLA to stop sharing details of drivers caught speeding under the scheme with the council.
A DfT spokesman said: “Wandsworth council is carrying out this experimental speed enforcement trial using powers in a way that is unlawful.
“We have therefore taken immediate action and asked DVLA to stop sharing registered keeper details with Wandsworth council for the purpose of enforcing this scheme.”
The council said it had dished out warning letters to drivers caught breaking the rules on the trial roads so far but has not handed out any fines.
A Wandsworth council spokeswoman said: “We began this trial as part of our efforts to support the police and TfL with their speed enforcement work, and as our contribution to wider London efforts on Vision Zero.
“Since the start of the trial we have seen a 1mph reduction in speeds and the number of vehicles travelling over 25mph dropping from 13 per cent to 6.6 per cent on the trial roads and up until this point have notified motorists who have been found to have breached the speed limit with a warning letter but have not issued any fines.”
Pictured top: Wandsworth town hall (Picture: Google Street View)
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Councils cant fine the keeper as with parking only the driver which as they are not the police you have no legal reason to disclose.
“But the DfT said it had asked the DVLA to stop sharing details of drivers caught speeding under the scheme with the council.
A DfT spokesman said: “Wandsworth council is carrying out this experimental speed enforcement trial using powers in a way that is unlawful.”
They do not do court only send bailiffs as parking is absolute.
For speeding you/the driver have the right to go to court not the adjudicator as with parking and none moving offenses, and as a fixed penalty court cannot increase the fine. As it would be a civil small claims court neither side nor council can claim any solicitors fees for the other side win or lose.
Council must always have a solicitor in case you bring up a point which sets a precedent and can be used against them in future. You do not need a solicitor and can defend yourself, won’t cost you any more win or lose just the original fine if lose. Will cause the council tremendous expenses with no gain if everyone asks for a court case.
Disappointing news here, it would also be very helpful to see newest and what law this breaches? Please can you update the article to provide this detail.