Lord Khan has been accused of a cover-up over a temporary speed limit change that is estimated to have raised more than £6million for Transport for London (TfL) in fines.
asserted
that → accuse → fines
The Mayor of London is also alleged to have vetoed an independent investigation into claims the traffic order authorising the speed reduction was made unlawfully, which would mean any fines were invalid, it was reported last night.
uncertain
it → allege → reduction
In October 2023, the speed limit on the A20 between Sidcup and Swanley was reduced from 70mph to 40mph after a number of cars swerved off the road in wet conditions.
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number → reduce → conditions
A speed camera installed on the stretch is believed to have ensnared more than 66,000 drivers over the course of a year before the 70mph limit was restored following the completion of drainage work.
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limit → instal → work
The motorists each received a £100 fine and three points on their licence, with some losing their licence or jobs as a result.
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some → receive → result
But the newspaper reported that documents now show the change was unlawful and claim that TfL workers knew as far back as two years ago.
uncertain
workers → report → ?
When a number of those fined challenged their fines in court, TfL managers and Met Police workers testified under oath that the speed limit change was done legally.
But a Crown Court judgment has now raised the prospect of the fined drivers having their payments refunded and their convictions thrown out.
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convictions → fin → prospect
The Mayor of London has been accused of vetoing an independent investigation into claims a speed limit change on the A20 was unlawful
In court TfL's Gerard O'Toole confirmed that the speed limit change was signed off by Gary Oliver, an Area Manager in Asset Operation.
uncertain
change → accuse → Operation
Last month, during a case in which a driver was acquitted for speeding, the court was shown a document marked 'TfL RESTRICTED' showing that Mr Oliver did not have the authority to sign-off on the speed change.
asserted
Oliver → acquit → change
A previous Freedom of Information request from 2024 had suggested otherwise.
uncertain
request → suggest → 2024
Sadiq Khan is also alleged to have vetoed a request for an independent investigation into the fines when it was raised at the London Assembly last year, the Telegraph reported.
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Telegraph → allege → Assembly
Lord Khan also refused demands to address the issue in a letter from three Conservative MPs: Laura Trott, Louie French and Gareth Bacon, for Orpington
Thomas Turrell, the London Assembly Conservatives' transport spokesman, called the fines 'an almighty motoring miscarriage of justice'.
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Turrell → address → justice
'Thousands of motorists have been sacrificed on the altar of the mayor's inability to admit that a mistake has been made,' he told the newspaper.
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he → sacrifice → newspaper
A spokesman for the Mayor of London told the Daily Mail: 'It is incorrect to suggest that the mayor or TfL misled anybody in relation to these fines, and TfL remain confident that enforcement of the speed limit here was necessary given the safety risks.
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enforcement → tell → risks
No wrongdoing was alleged by the court, Traffic Regulation Orders were made lawfully, and all TfL staff acted in accordance with authorisation.'
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staff → allege → authorisation
A TfL spokesman said: 'It is incorrect to suggest that TfL or its staff misled the courts or anybody else in this case and any suggestion of wrongdoing, or that evidence or information was improperly withheld, is false.
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evidence → say → wrongdoing
We remain confident that enforcement of the speed limit here was necessary, given the safety risks.
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enforcement → remain → risks
While we are aware of this Crown Court ruling, we understand that it does not set a binding precedent on any other cases and we will be supporting the Metropolitan Police in resisting the upcoming appeals.
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we → understand → appeals
'Safety is our number one priority and we temporarily introduced a 40mph speed limit on the A20 Sidcup Road in response to a number of serious incidents caused by ongoing flooding issues, which posed a risk to life.
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which → introduce → life
'After we repaired and resurfaced the road, the temporary speed restriction was removed.'
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restriction → repair → road
The Aporia
