The public are invited to have their say on enforcement powers in Cambridge.
Last year, the Highways and Transport Committee was updated on the opportunity for the county to apply for powers to enforce ‘moving traffic offences’, this means they can be granted powers that have previously been held only by the police. Since then, work has been done looking at areas in Cambridge where applying for these new powers could apply.
The county will be applying to the Department for Transport for powers relating to part six of the Traffic Management Act 2004. This would only apply where there is a civil parking enforcement area, currently Cambridge City, and would involve enforcing moving traffic offences such as vehicles making banned turns and obstructing yellow boxes.
The proposed site for initial enforcement is Downing Street, Cambridge – no left turn except buses, taxis and cyclists. This is due to historical reports of poor compliance of the current traffic rules and the potential impact on safety from those flouting the restriction due to the high level of pedestrian, cycle, bus and taxi movements in the area.
Cllr Alex Beckett, chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We’d welcome people’s views about the proposed site in Cambridge and would encourage them to complete the short consultation.
“The part six powers will act as a tool in reducing congestion, improving air quality and could complement our active travel plans by keeping vehicles out of cycle lanes and helping public transport.
“It is also worth noting, this no left turn restriction is already in place, this is simply about us enforcing the restriction and reducing the reliance on police resources.”
If the application is successful, the enforcement would be done using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and fines would be sent by post to road users who continue to ignore the restriction. People will receive a warning notice first.
The consultation is available from 21 September and closes at midnight on 2 November 2022. To find out more please visit our website and complete the short consultation survey - https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/moving-traffic-offences-consultation
