Stockport council could start enforcing driving offences in five locations across the borough. It comes after the law was changed last year to allow local authorities outside of London to fine motorists for ‘moving traffic offences’.
Town halls can now apply for powers previously only held by the police - enabling them to issue penalty notices to drivers for these offences for the first time. This could see councils hitting motorists with fines for violations such as driving through ‘no entry’ signs, blocking yellow box junctions and going the wrong way on a one-way street.
Bosses in Stockport are now considering applying for the powers and initially intend to target a handful of problem areas. An online consultation reads: “The purpose of the new powers is so councils can manage specific road locations where there may be issues with persistent moving traffic offences.
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“Currently enforcement of moving traffic offences can only be carried out by the police under criminal law and a penalty notice issued.Stockport council will be looking to apply for the new powers to expand the work we already do to improve road safety and tackle congestion.”
At first the council intends to use the powers at these five locations:
- Demmings Road, Cheadle - enforcing the 7.5t Weight Limit in place on the bridge.
- A6/Bramhall Lane Junction, enforcing the No Right turn from Bramhall Lane to the A6, and the No Left turn from the A6 to Bramhall Lane.#
- Massie Street and High Street Junction, Cheadle enforcing the No Right Turn from Massie Street to High Street, Cheadle.
- A6 London Road and New Moor Lane Junction, enforcing illegal entry of the yellow box at this location.
- A6 and George’s Road, Stockport Junction, enforcing the No Right Turn from George’s Road onto the A6.
As well as improving road safety and reducing congestion, bosses say benefits could include quicker journey times on public transport, better air quality and more people walking and cycling.
If the powers are granted, the council says it would take a ‘consistent and measured approach’ when considering new sites for enforcement. The consultation adds that cameras would only be used at sites where an 'absolute need' has been identified.
Each potential location must also meet at least one of five government objectives, including improving road safety, encouraging ‘active travel’ and increasing the lifespan of highways.
What do you think? Have your say in our comments below.
Unlike funds raised by speed camera fines - which are transferred to central government - any money raised will be kept by the local authority. However it must be spent on recouping the costs of enforcement or paying for highways and environmental improvements.
A spokesperson for the council said: “After the Moving Traffic Offences consultation has ended, and if the council wants to go ahead, we would need to apply to the Department for Transport to take on these powers before we can enforce. Due to the processes involved, we are unable to put a timeframe on when enforcement would start.”
To respond to he consultation visit the council website.
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