A controversial speed limit change which saw thousands of motorists slapped with "incredibly harsh" fines is set to be axed in a few weeks — but the fight to overhaul the penalties incurred rages on.

The restrictions were temporarily dropped from 70mph and 50mph to 40mph on sections of the A20 between Crittall’s Corner, in Sidcup, and the Swanley Interchange.

It was introduced by Transport for London (TfL) along the Kent-bound carriageway in October due to safety concerns over surface water flooding.

Whilst the temporary 40mph limit has been in place, it is understood more than 60,000 notices of intended prosecution (NIPs) have been issued to motorists for speeding by the Metropolitan Police.

Thousands of drivers previously signed a petition over a decision to go ahead with the speeding fines which they said were “incredibly harsh” and many have been forced to take their case to court.

John Parkhouse received four NIPs for driving at 46mph, 47mph, 48mph and 52mph on his way to work in Sevenoaks in April and May.

The semi-retired builder only used the road for four days and said he was unaware it was no longer a 50mph road until he received the fines through the post.

He is now waiting for a court date to be set where he plans to plead the signage was inadequate and poor.

Many have argued that they were unaware the limit had changed and others pointed to conflicting signs, with at least one 50mph marker still being up, as of January 24.

Others, like John, have claimed the new 40mph signs are too small and low down and because they are only on the inside lane are easily missed and can be blocked by other vehicles.

The 62-year-old added: “I did not see the signs otherwise I would have slowed down. If you are driving in the outside lane, it is very possible to not see them.

“If I had seen them, why would I have continued driving over the limit to get more fines?

“I think it is very possible to drive along that stretch of road and not see those signs.

“There is clearly something wrong. Not everyone has started driving crazy, clearly, there is inadequate signage.

“I am willing and able to take this to court. I am not saying it was to catch people out but the signs could have been much better.”

Nik Young is another driver who is waiting for a court date after he was caught driving at 66mph in May which he says was a “genuine and honest mistake”.

The 60-year-old said he does not often use the A20 and was unaware the speed limit had been temporarily changed until he received the NIP through the post.

He said: “I did not see any signs as I was driving in the outside lane. I think it is totally unjust. It is a farce.”

Nik, of Halstead, near Sevenoaks, said he thinks more could have been done by the authorities to make it obvious the change had come in with bigger signs and electronic boards.

Motorist Paul - who did not wish to give his surname - is also waiting for his hearing to be scheduled after he was caught twice in February driving 54mph and then 46mph.

He said: “I am just looking to not lose my licence. The signs are inadequate, they are really small and difficult to see.

“I did not get the fines through with enough time to change my habits. I have now got to go to court and plead my case.

“If there were adequate signs, there would not have been hundreds of thousands of fines issued. It would not have been a problem.”

However, Paul, who lives in Sidcup, believes it will not matter what he or any other driver thinks about the signs, they will still receive penalties.

Director of motoring solicitors Patterson Law, Dominic Smith, who had been advising people who received fines, said some could have a case if they could prove the signs were “confusing”.

However, he said each case is different and the results will depend on the individual circumstances.

A Met Police spokesperson previously said where the 50mph sign was “would not have impacted the enforcement of the 40mph average speed limit”.

It is understood that if someone had travelled at 40mph, and then sped up to 50mph after seeing the now-removed sign, their average speed of the section covered by cameras would not have resulted in a ticket.

The speed limit was changed in October as an “emergency” until permanent drainage works could be completed.

Flooding has caused aquaplaning, with seven crashes being recorded between 2019 and 2022 due to a loss of control.

It has also caused multiple vehicles to crash into the BP forecourt and petrol pumps along the Swanley Bypass causing hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage.

Work was expected to start in May, however, TfL has since confirmed it will be completed at the end of the month.

The A20 will be closed to Kent-bound traffic between the GreenAcres Kemnal Park cemetery and Swanley Services from 10pm on Friday, August 23, to 5am on Wednesday, August 28.

There will also be a single-lane restriction on the opposite carriageway to preserve a safe working environment for contractors.

The road will also be closed for London-bound from 10pm to 5am on Wednesday, August 28, and Thursday, August 29, for resurfacing works.

TfL has confirmed that once works are completed the speed limit will return to the previous restrictions of 70mph and 50mph.