Nottingham is awarded powers to enforce Moving Traffic Offences

Following an invitation by the Department for Transport for local authorities to apply for devolved powers to enforce moving traffic offences, Nottingham City Council has been granted enforcement powers and implementation will begin early  2024.

After a public consultation in autumn 2022, the Council’s application to the DfT was successful. The response from residents was positive, with 73% of 345 respondents in favour of the plans, and also suggesting other locations where they’d like to see the powers used to make roads safer.

Currently, four locations are being considered where the City Council could enforce against these offences using ANPR cameras.

The proposed areas are:

• Maid Marian Way at its junction with Friar Lane – No U-turn (southbound to northbound). U-turning traffic is in direct conflict with a green man pedestrian phase creating a significant risk of fatality or serious injury
• Sheriffs Way/Queens Road at its junction with Arkwright Street – No Left/No Right Turn into Arkwright Street. Turning vehicles are in direct conflict with a green man pedestrian phase creating a significant risk of fatality or serious injury
• The section of Shakespeare Street from its junction with Goldsmith Street in an easterly direction for 110 metres (the block-paved pedestrian friendly area). Vehicles travelling through an area of high pedestrian activity create a significant risk of serious injury to other road users
• The section of Victoria Embankment from a point in line with the suspension bridge in a north-westerly direction for around 240 metres. Vehicles travelling through the recreational area in front of the war memorial create a significant risk of serious injury to other road users.

Enforcement at these sites would be via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera technology. Drivers contravening any regulation during the first six months of operation will receive a warning letter which will move to a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) upon subsequent contraventions.

A PCN is £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days and any revenue received from this type of enforcement is ringfenced under legislation. The primary intention of the Council in taking on the new powers is to improve road safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Councillor Angela Kandola, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Planning, said: “I’m pleased that Nottingham City Council has now formally accepted the power to enforce against moving traffic offences, which will help us to take action to make roads safer without waiting for accidents to happen.

“The results of our consultation and other feedback strongly indicates that residents want safer streets and for the minority of rule-flouting drivers to be held accountable.”