Claire gets a mention in the Telegraph see here,
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/new ... under.htmlMotorists to get fines refunded because of sign blunder
Nearly 25,000 motorists are to have speeding fines refunded and points removed from their licences because of an administrative blunder.
By David Millward, Transport Editor
Published: 2:17PM BST 19 Jun 2009
Nearly 25,000 motorists to get fines refunded Photo: PA What is described as an "historical clerical error" in Dorset means that police and the local speed camera partnership have to track down drivers caught by a single camera over the past decade.
They face a potential bill of more than £1 million, if every driver is contacted.
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Speed camera makes £1 million in five monthsThe camera, monitoring westbound traffic on the A35, was supposed to enforce a 30mph limit in Chideock, a small rural village in the west of the county.
Thousands of motorists were caught by the camera including Alan Dawe, a lorry driver, who was caught travelling at 41mph.
He challenged the fine and during the court hearing it was discovered that the paperwork giving legal authority to the speed camera identified its location incorrectly.
It was recorded as having been placed in Seatown Road, when the camera was in Duck Street.
As a result every speeding ticket issued since the original Traffic Regulation Order was drafted is illegal.
A spokesman for the Dorset Strategic Safety Camera Partnership said it was contacting all 24,889 motorists to inform them of the error, outlining what they need to do to get their fines refunded. If the penalty points are still on their licences, they will be rescinded.
The spokesman added that claims for compensation from motorists who faced higher insurance premiums would be considered on a "case by case basis".
"Chideock is a small rural community with a main road running through the middle of the village and we are reassured that no one has tried to suggest that the speed limit should be anything other than 30mph.," said Adrian Whiting, Assistant Chief Constable for Dorset Police and the chairman of the partnership.
"During the period this safety camera has been in operation it will have reduced drivers' speeds through the village by acting as a deterrent, which will have helped to safeguard the safety of the people who live in Chideock and other road users."
Safety camera partnerships have been forced to refund tickets for a number of technical reasons.
In August 2005 nearly 5,600 motorists had their fines refunded and penalty points rescinded after it was discovered that the speed limit sign next to a camera in the heart of London had been put in the wrong place. It cost the London Safety Camera Partnership £335,880.
"There have been a number of technical problems and difficulties with signage which has led to fines being refunded," said Claire Armstrong of the anti-camera campaign group, Safespeed.
"We welcome this news, the law does have to be enforced appropriately."