ILLEGAL speed limit signs in Northumberland

Alnwick, Northumberland is sporting some illegal speed limit signs.


Motorists entering Alnwick from the A1 Northbound carriageway can see these and technically avoid prosecution for speeding.

The correct format for speed limit signs - according the the 1991 Road Traffic Act- is shown below. A clear speed limit (in this case 30mph) housed within a red circle. Here, the sign shows the 30mph speed limit housed inside a black circle.

This is therefore an "illegal order" and as a result, the speed limit here cannot be legally enforced.

This is the correct format for a speed limit sign.
The speed limit must be clearly displayed inside
a red circle and be visible from the road.

Now look at these speed limit signs on the way into Alnwick.


These appear correct at first glance. They have the speed limit clearly marked and surrounded by a red circle but they are also surrounded by a yellow circle, making them illegal. Again, the speed limit here cannot be legally enforced because the speed limit signs themselves, are illegal.


Here is another example of an illegal speed limit sign and still in Alnwick.



This is Alnwicks third illegal speed limit sign and all these are within a few metres of each other.

These signs display the 30mph speed limit inside a red circle and this is surrounded by a yellow square.


Eglingham is a small village approximately seven miles outside of Alnwick. The village has a narrow road running through it and can be busy at times. With this is mind, the speed limit is a safe 30mph.



Just one catch here though. Technically, these signs are illegal and therefore, the speed limit cannot be legally enforced. The problems with these mirror those in Alnwick.

Other villages with the same signs in use are Long Horsley, Longframlington and Powburn.

If you have been prosecuted for speeding in these areas, we would encourage you to appeal against your conviction and question the legallity of your prosecution.