Wandworth Council in London has been told a pilot initiative it undertook in which drivers breaking the speed limit could be issued fines by it rather than the police cannot go ahead.

Wandsworth was the first local authority in the UK to be piloting this type of scheme.

Back in October, it was announced that motorists will be penalised if they exceed the 20mph limit on two busy residential roads in the borough – Wimbledon Park Road and Priory Lane – which are both the subjects of numerous complaints from local people about excessive vehicle speeds.

However this went against the convention that only the Police can issue fines and points.

The Telegraph reports the Department for Transport has intervened and told the DVLA to stop sharing details of drivers with Wandsworth Council to enforce the scheme.

A DfT spokesman told the Paper: “Wandsworth Council is carrying out this experimental speed enforcement trial using powers in a way that is unlawful.”

The report adds that the council said that so far it had only issued warning letters to those that breached the speed limit but hadn’t yet issued any fines.

A council spokesman is quoted as saying: “The DfT has taken the decision to restrict access to details of registered vehicle keepers meaning we are now unable to contact drivers who are found to have been speeding. 

“Naturally, we are disappointed with this decision and are having ongoing conversations with the DfT regarding the future of the trial.”

(Picture – Yay Images)