Councils across England have been given the go-ahead to apply for permission to use cameras to enforce more traffic regulations.
Starting last month, legislation around “moving traffic offences” has changed to allow authorities to apply to take on certain police powers to ease pressure on police forces and make it easier for councils to enforce road rules.
Until now, councils in London were the only ones in England able to issue penalty charge notices (PCNs) for issues including, ignoring road instructions such as no entry or no left/right turn signs, blocking yellow box junctions or driving in cycle lanes.
The purpose of the change is to enable councils to manage specific problem areas through ANPR camera enforcement – similar to how the Outlet Village bus gate in Rodbourne operates – with the fines being retained by the authority to cover the maintenance and management costs.
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras could be fitted around specific ‘hot spot’ locations in Swindon to improve safety, ease congestion and reduce inconsiderate and dangerous driving.
Announcing the changes last year, Transport Minister Baroness Vere said it would give local authorities the right tools to “manage roads in the way that best serves local needs”.
What are moving traffic offences?
In England and Wales, moving traffic offences are defined in law in Schedule 7 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (as amended).
They include:
- incorrectly driving into a bus lane
- stopping in a yellow box junction
- banned right or left turns
- illegal U-turns
- going the wrong way in a one-way street
- ignoring a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO)
The police will retain the power to enforce traffic regulations in addition to the council’s camera enforcement at the specific sites.
Unlike funds raised from speed camera fines, which are transferred to central Government, surplus funds from moving traffic enforcement will be kept by the council, should they wish to apply for the powers.
Any money raised by the fines can only be used only for certain purposes:
- to recoup costs of enforcement;
- pay for public transport provision;
- pay for highway improvement projects; or
- pay for environmental improvements in the authority’s area.
The Swindonian understand that at this time Swindon Borough Council have not yet applied to the Department of Transport to take on the additional powers however it is likely this will happen in the coming months.
