Safe Speed Forums

3 September 2010 Last updated at 13:53

Speed ticket refund for drivers on Gwynedd road


Nearly 200 motorists who were fined a total of more than £11,000 could all be reimbursed after a 30mph speed limit was wrongly imposed on a Gwynedd road.

Drivers were caught in the speed trap on the A499 between Caernarfon and Pwllheli, while roadworks took place.

The 30mph limit was imposed by Gwynedd council, near Clynnog, in December 2008, but a court found that it had not followed the proper procedures.

The council said refunds would be considered on a case by case basis.

North Wales Police said 191 people had been issued with fixed penalty notices and fined £60 each, but 59 drivers had taken the option of a speed awareness course instead of being issued with penalty points.

A Gwynedd council spokesman said: "The council accepts that the position taken by the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of the temporary traffic order made in December 2008 imposing a 30mph limit on the A499 in the Gyrn Goch/Trefor was appropriate.

"However, there remained in force during that time a preceding order also imposing a temporary 30mph speed limit on the A499 in the same area.

"Consequently it is understood that the status of any penalties imposed for breaking the speed limit on this particular stretch of road will be considered on a case by case basis only. The council's response to this matter will be in partnership with the police and other relevant agencies."

It is understood the DVLA will scrap the points incurred by motorists following the court ruling.

A North Wales Police spokesman said: "North Wales Police accepts the court's ruling. Plans are afoot to repay the fines and we have been identifying those who were given an invalid ticket and are working to contact them."

Drivers caught 'speeding' at Clynnog could get money back

Sep 2 2010 By Dion Jones

MOTORISTS who were fined for "speeding" along a busy stretch of road could be in line for a windfall after officials accepted that a 30mph sign imposed there was unlawful.

Around 191 people were given fines totalling £11,460 for speeding along the A499 near Clynnog while improvements to the road were being made last year.

Gwynedd officials had imposed a 30mph limit on the stretch, which runs between Pwllheli and Caernarfon, but a landmark decision by Caernarfon Magistrates made back in June ruled that the council had failed to follow the proper legal process, meaning any fines for driving over 30mph but under 60mph would not be legal.

Gwynedd Council and North Wales Police have now accepted the ruling and say they are working to scrap the penalty points and reimburse drivers who were wrongly fined.

However, Clynnog community councillor Dafydd Hughes-Evans believes that the damage could already have been done for some motorists last year.Clynnog community councillor Dafydd Hughes-Evans was clocked by police driving seven mph over the limit in his silver MG on the 30mph stretch back in February 2009.

Despite the accusations, Mr Hughes-Evans insisted he was driving within the limit and after a 10 month wrangle with the CPS and five appearances in court, Pwllheli magistrates found him not guilty of the charge.

Mr Hughes said he sympathised with those involved and believed that a lot more drivers have been affected.

He said: "I don’t condone or support speeding whatsoever but in this case, it’s more than people getting their money back.

"It is likely that their insurance premiums have gone up because of this and in the worst case scenario, people could have already lost their licence because of the points incurred, so the damage could already have been done."

Driver Chris Ellis, from Llithfaen, was in the car with his wife when she was fined for doing 42mph in March 2009.

He said: "I am delighted with this outcome, especially at a time when motorists seem to be hit at all angles.

"I don’t think it’s a magnanimous gesture but the fact that they have put it right is positive."

Of the 191 issued with fixed penalty notices, 59 took the option of attending a speed awareness course at £60 a go.

The remaining 132 were issued £60 fines and three penalty points on their licences.

A spokesman for North Wales Police said the £11,460 would be reimbursed by the treasury whilst the points incurred would be scrapped by the DVLA.

The spokesman said: "North Wales Police accepts the court’s ruling.

"Plans are afoot to repay the fines and we have been identifying those who were given an invalid ticket and are working to contact them."

A Gwynedd Council spokesman said: "The council accepts that the position taken by the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of the temporary traffic order made in December 2008 imposing a 30mph limit on the A499 in Gyrn Goch /Trefor was appropriate.

"However, there remained in force during that time a preceding order also imposing a temporary 30mph speed limit on the A499 in the same area.

"Consequently it is understood that the status of any penalties imposed for breaking the speed limit on this particular stretch of road will be considered on a case by case basis only.

"The council's response to this matter will be in partnership with the police and other relevant agencies."