NEW signs have been installed on the A38 in Berkeley in the hope of clarifying the speed limit after 503 motorists were illegally issued fines and penalty points after being snapped by a speed camera.

Following readers’ complaints about the camera’s position and the inadequate signs leading up to it on the northbound side of the road before your meet the rail bridge, the Gazette took up the inquiry to investigate its legality in November.

It was found that the signage incorrectly informed people of the speed change from a 50mph zone to a 30mph zone and therefore illegal to prosecute them for breaching it.

Letters were sent out to the wronged drivers by the police to say their fines were to be repaid and points on their licenses revoked.

The issue surrounded the fact that the wrong type of sign was being used to show the change in speed restriction as it had a grey border.

Now new signs with a yellow border have been put in place, and the police intend to continue using speed cameras on the road which has a temporary speed reduction to avoid further deterioration of the steel-truss bridge, which will eventually be replaced.

A Gloucestershire Highways spokesman said the main problem with the original signs was that the speed limit sign was incorporated with the weak bridge plate within a border.

"The new signs have separated these so that they are mounted on a single backing board but without the border,” he said.

“We have also added additional signs on all approaches of the new limit.”