M25 driver caught ignoring red 'X' sign loses court battle

They were among nearly 300 drivers who were spotted travelling in closed lanes on the M25 in 2018 following a collision.

Police were dealing with a crash and diesel spillage on December 13 when they noticed drivers passing queuing traffic in two lanes that had been marked on a motorway gantry with a red 'X', indicating the lanes were closed.

The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire road policing unit said the signs were in place at junction 20 for Kings Langley to "protect workers carrying out urgent highway repairs".

The scene of the collision on the M25 in 2018 which closed two lanes and a slip-road. Credit: Highways England

Officers, parked in a lay-by, said they caught nearly 300 drivers disobeying the gantry signs in just under an hour.

The unit says the majority of drivers ignoring the signs were dealt with via en educational scheme or fixed penalty notice; the latter being a £100 fine and three points on their licence.

However, one driver took their case to the magistrates court - and lost - and were told to pay £420 after the magistrate took into account the officer's evidence and video evidence.

Police parked in the lay-by on December 13 2018. Credit: BCH Road Policing Unit

But the driver appealed this ruling and took their case to the crown court.

However, the unit revealed on Tuesday that the appeal had been dismissed by the judge, who issued three points on the defendant's license and told them to pay fines and costs amounting to nearly £1,000.

Following the outcome in court, the unit tweeted: "Please do not drive under a red 'X' displayed on a motorway gantry.

"They are set for the safety of everyone using and working on the road."

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