Richmond's 'sister' council Wandsworth is to become the first in the country to impose its own speeding fines on drivers who break 20mph limits.

The move would represent a major shift away from the existing enforcement of speed limits, which has always been the responsibility of the police.

The system involves a trial on a few busy roads in Wandsworth where there is evidence that many drivers are routinely breaking the 20mph limit.

It would be enforced by Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and backed up with fines of £130, although the Council regime would not have the power to apply penalty points to licences.

Richmond and Wandsworth share many staff, administration functions and services in a partnership designed to save money and improve efficiency. The Councils also share street camera systems.

The Richmond councillor who leads the borough's transport planning policy, Cllr Alexander Ehmann, has expressed interest in the outcome of the Wandsworth trials.

Wandsworth was famously captured by Labour at the Council elections in May, replacing the Conservatives for the first time since 1978.

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The change in the borough's political allegiance has re-set the relationship with Richmond, which is controlled by the Lib-Dems following a virtual wipe-out of the Tories in May.

The Wandsworth trial scheme will start next week and last for eight months. If successful, the crackdown could be rolled out across the capital, as well as being made permanent in the borough and extended to other Wandsworth roads.

Wandsworth's Labour council leader, Simon Hogg, said: "Ensuring drivers stick to the 20mph limit not only improves safety levels and encourages more people to walk or cycle, it helps to reduce harmful emissions, too.

"Until now, only The Met have had powers to enforce speed limits, but they tend to concentrate their resources on main roads and dual carriageways, whereas most of the complaints we receive are about people driving too fast along quieter residential streets.

"Our pilot scheme will focus on two residential roads where excessive speeds are known to be an issue.

"If judged a success, we will look to make it permanent and carry out enforcement in other parts of the borough where we know vehicle speeds are excessive."

Reacting to the news on Twitter, Richmond' Cllr Ehmann said: "Wandsworth are exploring a 'novel' legal approach to allow them to use camera enforcement.

"We, as many other local authorities, will be watching this trial with interest."

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