Notices issued for those breaching traffic enforcement rules

Motorists who continue to flout road restrictions in three busy areas of Northampton now face immediate fines for doing so, under enforcement measures to help keep traffic moving there.

In February this year, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) started to enforce the hatched yellow box at the junction of St John's Street and Victoria Gardens, as well as no Right turns allowed from Fishponds Road into Great Billing Way and the bus only route at Hermitage Way.

The measures were put in place to help reduce traffic congestion after the Department for Transport (DfT) changed legislation to enable local authorities to apply for powers to enforce against moving traffic contraventions.

During the first six months of enforcement measures going live, a warning notice was issued for first offences to any vehicle, however from 1 August (St John's Street) and 16 August (Fishponds Road and Hermitage Way) onwards, anyone who has breached the rules at these sites has received a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

Deanshanger Road went live on 10 June so warning notices are still being issued to motorists for their first occasion breach only.

During August, 796 motorists received immediate PCNs across the three sites:

St John's Street Box Junction – 415 PCNs

No right turns from Fishponds Road into Great Billing Way – 316 PCNs

Hermitage Way bus only route – 65 PCNs

Cllr Phil Larratt, WNC's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: "Highway measures such as box junctions, the prohibition of turning movements and bus lanes are introduced to assist in reducing congestion, improving road safety, and ensuring better flow of traffic and public transport. Unfortunately, the police do not have the resource to enforce these measures that are often ignored by drivers, hence the decision of Government to delegate enforcement powers to Highway Authorities such as West Northamptonshire Council. Working with our partners, including the police and bus operators, we made an informed decision to introduced enforcement cameras at these locations. Although they have been in place for some months now, and are acting as a deterrent, we continue to see motorists breaching the rules.

"Whilst we understand some have raised concerns, many are supportive of our efforts with people requesting us to consider putting in place similar measures elsewhere across West Northants.

"Up until August we have sent out warning advisory letters to anyone caught stopping in the box, making prohibited turns, and utilising the bus lane. Going forward any driver caught breaking the rules will not receive a warning but will be issued with a fine. It is still too early to say how this is impacting on the number of offenders, but we are hopeful this will serve to further reduce issues in these areas."