'Tiny' 20mph signs criticised as thousands fined

The speed limit on St John's Lane was reduced to 20mph in November

More than 2,000 drivers have been fined for speeding on a Bristol road after the speed limit was changed and replaced with new signs one driver has described as "tiny".

According to figures obtained from a freedom of information (FOI) request, 2,088 speeding offences were recorded on St John's Lane by the Brunel Pub shortly after the limit was dropped from 30mph to 20mph in October 2024.

One affected driver has called on the council to install clearer signs.

Bristol City Council said the new signs complied with government rules.

The driver, who lives locally but asked not to be named, said: "It's a huge waste of people's time and money to fine them or send them on a speed awareness course - rather than having clear signage that would actually have the most immediate impact on reducing excessive speeds.

"When I got flashed by the camera for driving at 30mph, I had no inkling they'd changed the speed limit because it was dark, the speed limit repeater signs are tiny and they're only on the far side of the road when heading west.

"Changes in road laws should be made clear, rather than expecting people to play 'spot the missing road sign'."

St John's Lane is one of the roads connecting major routes in south Bristol

St John's Lane is a busy road running alongside Windmill Hill, connecting the A37 Wells Road with the A38, two main routes through the south of Bristol.

Drivers caught speeding are handed a £100 fine, with some given the option of going on a speed awareness course, which costs £90 and lasts three hours, to avoid getting points on their licence.

The FOI figures show 440 offences were recorded in October 2024 when enforcement of the new 20mph limit began, followed by 1,648 offences in November said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

This is compared to 34 offences in October the previous year and 27 offences in November 2023. There were 24 offences recorded in September 2023.

A police spokesperson said the council was responsible for speed limit signs.

The council has said the signs comply with government rules, and the stretch of road is between existing 20mph zones.

Councillor Ed Plowden, chair of the transport committee, said the signs are compliant with Department for Transport guidance and legislation.

"The 20mph speed limit on Malago Road was extended into St John's Lane and Bedminster Road to improve safety and joins up all existing 20mph speed limits in the area," he said.

However, Mr Plowden said he had asked Avon and Somerset Police to review the current enforcement of the stretch.

The council also said that there are 20mph speed limit reminder signs on every lamp post between the end of the old 20mph section and the speed camera, which has a 20mph reminder.

It also added that in total, traffic on St John's Lane is about 10,000 vehicles a day on average, meaning 1,600 fines in a month would only represent 0.5 per cent of motorists.