Residents are being invited to have their say about two proposed applications for civil powers to enforce bus lane and bus gate restrictions in South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.
Currently, bus lane and bus gate restrictions can only be enforced by the police with fixed penalty notices resulting in fines or endorsement points. As part of the proposed changes, Cambridgeshire County Council is applying to the Department for Transport (DfT) to transfer enforcement responsibilities from the police to the local authority regarding bus lane and bus gate regulations in the districts of South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.
If the applications were successful, offences would be treated as a civil matter and a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) would be issued. It would also give the county council the ability to, where required, use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to identify drivers who breach restrictions.
Similar measures were introduced in Cambridge City several years ago.
The aim of enforcing bus lane regulations is to keep bus journeys reliable, encourage more sustainable ways of travelling and help keep traffic moving on the roads.
If successful, it is expected that the council would start enforcement in winter 2024.
Cambridgeshire County Council is inviting residents to have their say on the proposed changes by completing an online survey on the council website, where they will also find more information, maps, and frequently asked questions. The engagement survey opened on 29 January and closes on 11 March.
The findings will help inform any decision made by the county council regarding which sites may be considered for camera enforcement as part of its application to the DfT.
Cllr Alex Beckett, chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Taking over the powers to enforce bus lane and bus gate regulations means we can prevent unauthorised use and inconsiderate parking. This will reduce congestion for everyone, make bus and cycle journeys more reliable, and improve air quality in our towns. It also frees up the police to focus on more serious crimes instead of bus lane enforcement.
“This is not about penalising car drivers and raising revenue. It’s about protecting bus lanes and improving traffic flow, which we know is a priority for Cambridgeshire’s residents. So ultimately road users will benefit, and our communities will be safer and better places to live and move around.”
Complete the Huntingdonshire survey: Huntingdonshire Bus Lane Application Engagement | Consult Cambridgeshire (engagementhq.com)
Complete the South Cambridgeshire survey: South Cambridgeshire Bus Lane Application Engagement | Consult Cambridgeshire (engagementhq.com)
