COUNCIL chiefs have refused to reveal what they are going to do over accusations speed limits on one of Hampshire’s busiest roads are not legally enforceable.

As revealed in yesterday’s Daily Echo, a complaint has been lodged with the body that looks after the county’s speed cameras cataloguing 21 “serious defects”

with speed limits on the A33 and A3024 in Southampton.

But Southampton City Council says it needs more time to consider whether it needs to take any action.

When asked by the Daily Echo for details of what defects it is aware of, and what action it would be taking and when, the city council refused to say.

Instead, it issued a statement from Cllr Matt Dean, Cabinet member for environment and transport. He said: “We will continue to consider the recommendations by the Safer Roads Partnership before deciding if further action needs to be taken on the segment of this route which the council is responsible for maintaining.

“Southampton City Council always looks at how it can improve the city’s roads and we make road safety one of our main priorities.”

The man behind the complaint says the faults mean every driver caught speeding on the road between Ashurst and Southampton city centre should have their fines refunded.


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Tony Seaton is demanding the speed cameras are suspended until the problems – which include missing, obstructed, faded and blanked out signs – are sorted out.

Hampshire’s Safer Roads Partnership has admitted there are “some signage issues” on the road, which is used by thousands of motorists every day.

The partnership said it is working with the two councils to rectify the problems, and insists no motorists have been fined where the signs are unlawful.

Hampshire County Council has pledged to replace missing signs on its patch by the end of the week.