But if the camera never lies, this Gazette picture will be used by Mr Alderson to appeal against the £60 fine. As far as he was concerned, he was travelling just one mile an hour over the limit.
The thought of throwing hard-earned cash into Cleveland's speed-camera pot and three points on a clean driving licence going back more than 30 years was just too much.
"I was shocked when I got the fine because I have always understood it was a 40mph zone," he said. "I bet a lot of other people think it is 40 too. That sign has been there for years."
Mr Alderson, 47, of Hind Street, Stockton, was travelling along the road on August 16 when he was clocked at 41mph.
His ticket states he was in a 30mph zone, despite the 40mph repeater sign on a lamppost in the middle of dense hedging.
Mr Alderson has travelled regularly along the road over the last 18 months and insists he has never known the road to be anything but 40mph. In winter when leaves fall off the bushes, the sign can clearly be seen, he said.
Council chiefs and police confirmed that the road in the High Street to the Willey Flatts area is 30mph before becoming 40mph.
Mr Alderman has studied the road and signposts, and plans to appeal against the fine.
He said: "I have already contacted my insurance company and if I get done for this, my premiums will go up. Anybody who has been caught speeding at 40mph along here should be cleared because there is a sign here."
A spokeswoman for Stockton Council said: "The 40mph repeater sign is present but it is hidden in bushes and not easily noticeable.
"The man caught in the trap was going in the opposite direction and this sign would not have been noticed. The man who was caught was a local resident who just happened to know it was there.
"We've subsequently received a complaint that the terminal sign is missing. We have consulted with the police and confirmed that the signs were present at the time of the offence and the conclusion is we are taking steps to have the repeater sign removed."
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "If Mr Alderson disagrees with the speeding ticket issued he should write to us."
