U-turn if you want to. He's not for turning
A tennis coach argued in court that a sign forbidding u-turns did not apply to three-point turns.
Tuesday, 15 Apr 2014 09:44 GMT
U-turn: Alexis Alexander of Caversham in Berkshire lost his case on u-turns. Pic: Daily Telegraph
Alexis Alexander of Caversham in Berkshire lost his case and decided to appeal against the fixed penalty charge issued by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham after he was filmed on CCTV doing a three-point turn in Gliddon Road.
His initial appeal was rejected by adjudicator Anthony Chan at the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service. Rather like a professional tennis player who contests a line call Alexander went on to challenge the decision, but it was upheld by the reviewing adjudicator.
Bad news for Alexander perhaps but good news potentially for sign-makers who may be asked to improve the infamous no u-turn signs”
Not to be defeated Alexander got permission to seek a judicial review, which was heard last month in the high court. But alas for the tennis coach the judge was not moved to agree with him. The judge said that the rebel motorist’s reading of the sign as a literal directive was absurd.
However Judge Keyser said that Hammersmith & Fulham council should consider if there was any way it could improve its signage. “Even if information given to motorists is adequate, that is not to say it might not be improved,” said Judge Keyser.
Bad news for Alexander perhaps but good news potentially for sign-makers who may be asked to improve the infamous no u-turn signs.
Which road sign would you alter? The 70mph on motorways to 80mph? The no cycling sign? Or perhaps the one warning of low flying airplanes? Your observations please to online_ed@signlink.co.uk
