John Burke with the three signs at the centre of the case

Two officers from North Yorkshire Police successfully challenged speeding charges at Guisborough Magistrates' Court after being allegedly caught on camera exceeding the 50mph limit on the A171 in summer 2002.

It was alleged the pair broke the 50mph speed limit on the road in two separate incidents last summer.

The officers claimed the thin black border around the joint 50mph speed limit and speed camera warning sign had not been prescribed by the Department of Transport.

At Guisborough Magistrates Court last week, the officers were told the Crown Prosecution Service was not offering evidence against them.

The speed camera zone were not "prescribed" under the Road Traffic Act.

'Moral responsibility'

Cleveland Chief Constable Sean Price last week described the legal loophole as a "tragedy".

And Acting Assistant Chief Constable John Burke called the case "embarrassing", while appealing to drivers to accept their "moral and social responsibilities" rather than challenge their fines.

On Thursday the force said the "anomaly" on the A171 had been rectified.

An audit had revealed it to be the only section of road in the force area where the speed limit had been affected.

Information sheet

A spokesman said: "Members of the public may have noticed other non-prescribed signs on the roads within the force area.

"Many of them were informatory signs, such as speed camera signs, or were additional signs such as 30mph signs on restricted roads.

"None of these have invalidated either the various speed restrictions in force or their subsequent enforcement."

Some motorists may wish to query a fixed penalty notice issued in relation to a speeding offence committed on the section of the A171 between Waterfall Kennels and Birk Brow.

They should request an information sheet from the Justices' Chief Executive at Teesside Magistrates Court.