Free Traffic Legal Advice

Live cases legal advice => Speeding and other criminal offences => Topic started by: Pauliexjr on August 01, 2026, 04:01:48 pm

Title: Re: NIP for 38 in 30 limit A6071 Smithfield, Cumbria
Post by: Ratus Ratus on August 15, 2026, 04:43:55 pm
A bit of the A6071 is also covered by a speed limit order to increase the 30mph restriction....

The relevant Order is:

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL (VARIOUS ROADS, CARLISLE & DISTRICT)
(CONSOLIDATION AND PROVISION OF SPEED LIMITS) ORDER 2025

Schedule 2

30 mph Speed Limits

Name of Road: Smithfield (A6071)
From its junction with the C1012, for a distance of 261 metres in a westerly direction.
From its junction with the C1012, for a distance of 614 metres in an easterly direction.
Title: Re: NIP for 38 in 30 limit A6071 Smithfield, Cumbria
Post by: Pauliexjr on August 03, 2026, 06:36:45 am
Thanks for the replies folks, as this is likely (but not guaranteed) to end in a SAC I'll just 'fess up and return the NIP, mea culpa!
Title: Re: NIP for 38 in 30 limit A6071 Smithfield, Cumbria
Post by: sparxy on August 03, 2026, 12:59:44 am
JustLoveCars' GSV link has a street lamp in it (A).

(A) east to (B) - 99.66m~
(B) east to (C) - 100m~
(C) east to (D) - 150m~
(D) east to (E) - 150m~
(E) to 30 terminal sign - 126m~

If you go west from (A), it seems from the outset that there is no more, and it's 286m~ to the terminal sign.

However, if you look back on older GSV, it's a lot more obvious where there is one hiding in the trees, it's about 150m~ west from (A), on the bend:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PNSbMqcKT9EcBMU99

So then the terminal sign west of this hidden lamp is only 130m~

Measured using the Google maps measuring tool, measurements are all approximate but are so far within the 183m that I don't doubt they're inside the 200 yards.
Title: Re: NIP for 38 in 30 limit A6071 Smithfield, Cumbria
Post by: NewJudge on August 02, 2026, 11:10:47 am
Thanks for that, JLC.

I must say I did not look too hard and I concentrated on the "country" sections either side of that junction.

Approaching the village from the east there appears to be one lamppost on the right, a good way after the limit begins (as the road bends to the left), then no more until the first large building sits, again on the right. It's impossible to tell how far apart these are.

Title: Re: NIP for 38 in 30 limit A6071 Smithfield, Cumbria
Post by: JustLoveCars on August 02, 2026, 10:41:54 am
Looking quickly on GSV I can see no streetlighting at all in Smithfield
There are a few, e.g. Here. (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.9795356,-2.8744664,3a,75y,99.07h,89.34t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sIICZw3IXpb99LC41PcRLqg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.6584124075312019%26panoid%3DIICZw3IXpb99LC41PcRLqg%26yaw%3D99.0748697560358!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcyOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

They might, just, be within the 183m norm (200 yards) but would need checking accurately onsite.
Title: Re: NIP for 38 in 30 limit A6071 Smithfield, Cumbria
Post by: Pauliexjr on August 02, 2026, 10:00:42 am
Thanks for that, I have searched high and low but can find no clear definitions regarding repeaters.
The only way to challenge would be to go to court and TBH I have a clean licence so even taking points and a fine isn't the end of the world.
Title: Re: NIP for 38 in 30 limit A6071 Smithfield, Cumbria
Post by: NewJudge on August 01, 2026, 06:53:01 pm
There are two things to consider:

The presence of a system of streetlighting makes a road a “restricted road” and so subject to a 30mph limit (20mph in Wales). Repeater signs are not generally permitted. This issue was discussed a few years ago by some committee or other and the consensus was that the presence of repeaters on some restricted roads, but not on others could cause confusion.

The requirement for repeaters in the absence of streetlights is not so clear cut. First of all, the local authority must have made a TRO to make the limit enforceable. Then there must be “terminal” signs denoting where it begins and ends.

Whilst I am not entirely clear (and I’m quite sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong) , I believe that the rules were changed (or perhaps clarified) about ten years ago and there is now no mandate to make repeaters compulsory. Instead, the limit has to be “adequately conveyed”.

Looking quickly on GSV I can see no streetlighting at all in Smithfield, but the terminal signs are clear enough. So I suppose it depends whether you want to give it a run in court on the basis that the limit was not conveyed adequately.

You should be offered a course for that speed.
Title: NIP for 38 in 30 limit A6071 Smithfield, Cumbria
Post by: Pauliexjr on August 01, 2026, 04:01:48 pm
Received a NIP for the above. Having looked at Google Street View I can only count five street lights in the entire length of the village, these are far more than 200 metres apart and the only speed limit signs are at either end of the village.

I was under the impression that in areas where there is sporadic or inadequate street lighting there should be speed limit repeaters or am I wrong with this?

Also, as it was less than 10% + 9mph am I likely to be offered a SAC? I should say I live in Scotland, but I know if offered it would be in England.