Council could install cameras to crack down on traffic offences

Motorists who flout driving rules across five places in Gloucestershire may soon be issued £70 fines as council chiefs plan to install automatic number plate recognition cameras to catch offenders.

Gloucestershire County Council leaders have applied to the Department for Transport for more powers to enforce moving traffic offences.

This is to curb offences such as stopping at yellow box junctions, prohibition of driving, banned turns, no entry, one-way streets and weight limits.

The council has looked at several locations across the county and plan to install the APNR cameras at five sites.

Among these locations is Brunswick Road in Gloucester where vehicles undertaking a right turn from Parliament Street are subjecting cyclists, pedestrians and other road users to risk as a result of the manoeuvre required at the junction.

There also problems at the Bruton Way junction where vehicles queuing in the box junction with Market Parade are creating a hazard for all road users due to restricted vision at the junction for pedestrians and cyclists. These motorists queuing in the yellow box also causes delays to bus services.

Motorists queuing the box junction at Montpellier Street/Lansdown Road in Cheltenham also face enforcement. When vehicles queue there they create hazard for all road users by restricting vision at the junction for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

Drivers who perform a banned right turn at Alstone Croft also face a crack down. This illegal move is a danger to all road users.

And site surveys at Cheltenham High Street have found mass non-compliance of the bus gate and prohibition of driving restrictions there causing safety concerns to pedestrians and cyclists as well as delays to bus services due to increased congestion.

Highways cabinet member Dom Morris (C, Fairford and Lechlade) said: “Whilst the majority of road users adhere to the rules of the road, a small number do not, which is a risk to everyone.

“We have identified several hotspot locations where ANPR cameras would help to prevent collisions.

“These cameras will act as a deterrent to people who are tempted to breach the rules which would improve road safety and also encourage walking and cycling.”

Cabinet approved in principle yesterday to undertake civil enforcement of moving traffic restrictions.

And a six week public consultation is now due to start on the details of the planned civil enforcement of moving traffic contraventions.

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk