Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies faces speeding trial as she blames 'poor signage'

Olympic swimmer Baroness Sharron Davies is set to stand trial over a motorway speeding ticket after blaming the incident on a sign "so poor it was easy to miss".

The 63-year-old was driving back from a speaking event in Wales in October last year when she was caught by a speed camera on the M4.

The former athlete, who recently became Baroness Davies of Devonport in the House of Lords, was driving her Mini at 65mph when the speed limit had been temporarily dropped to 50mph, Bath Magistrates' Court heard.

Avon and Somerset Police launched the prosecution after Davies' car triggered a speed camera near junction 19 in South Gloucestershire just after 11.30pm on 15 October.

Davies, who was excused from attending the pre-trial hearing, denies the offence and has opted for a trial, which is likely to take place next year.

In documents supplied to the court which were read out by the clerk, Davies said: "It was 11.30pm at night, the signage was very unclear, and I absolutely did not see clear signage to show the limit had gone down to 50mph from 70mph on the motorway.

"I was doing 67mph, very much still inside the 70mph I thought it was.

"There was still three lanes of very, very light traffic and most importantly no workmen. I don't know if this is about the time that roadworks start at night on motorways and if this was a factor in signage or confusion.

"However, I most definitely would have dropped my speed if I had been aware of the reduction.

"In 45 years of driving I have never contested a speeding fine. But I am adamant that the signage was so poor it was easy to miss, which is what must have happened."

Defence solicitor Laura Singleton said the issue in the case was the visibility of the signage and an expert had been instructed to provide a report.

Prosecutor Mark Thorpe said there would be evidence put before the court which would support the contention the signage was sufficient.

Proceedings were adjourned by presiding justice Gail Bragg for a case management hearing on 21 October before a district judge.

She added: "In the meantime, there will be full disclosure by the prosecution to the defence."

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Last year, the 1980 Olympic silver medallist was nominated by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for a life peerage.

She enjoyed a professional swimming career spanning three decades, winning two Commonwealth Games gold medals and breaking more than 200 British records before she retired in 1994.

She went on to become a successful television pundit, and is also the director of campaign group Women's Sports Union.

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