Speed limit blunder could mean payout

Thousands of motorists could be affected

A legal blunder could lead to thousands of motorists in the West Midlands having their speeding convictions quashed.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council has admitted using the wrong speed limit on the B4118 for the past 15 years.

Drivers fined for travelling at speeds of between 30 mph and 40 mph on the Castle Bromwich to Water Orton road may be able to claim their money back, even for offences recorded as long ago as 1988.

It is also possible the council could face claims from people who were banned, or had points put on their licence, as a result of the error.

Boundary changes

The problem appears to have arisen because of boundary changes.

Warwickshire County Council originally imposed a 40 mph speed limit on the road in 1972.

When it was taken under the control of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in 1988, the limit was reduced to 30mph.

But the authority has admitted it did not apply the Traffic Act correctly when the change was made.