By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
A series of new driving restrictions enforced by cameras and fines will be brought in across Nottingham after the council was given powers to put cameras up on problem routes.
One councillor has said it will be ‘crucial’ they are signposted correctly to avoid confusion or motorists arguing they did know about the restrictions.
The Government invited local authorities to apply for new powers to enforce traffic offences, and Nottingham City Council was successful in its bid.
It means Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed on a number of problem roads in the city beginning early next year.
It will give the council more powers to enforce offences including illegal right or left turns, U-turns and incorrect driving through yellow box junctions.
The authority has before been criticised for installing cameras and rules on some roads in Nottingham, including the enforcement of the Canal Street bus gate.
During an Executive Board meeting on October 17, where councillors approved the plans, an emphasis was placed on the need for effective signage and advance warnings.
Cllr Steve Battlemuch (Lab) said: “I think proper signage and plenty of advance notice in a certain area that will be subject to cameras is absolutely crucial.”
In response Paul Seddon, the director of planning and regeneration, said the powers are about changing behaviour and not fining motorists.
The council will not make any money on fines from the changes.
“There will be a proper policy put in place to understand how we evaluate that and this will ensure the network relieves congestion and is a safe network, and those are the drivers for whether we would do this,” Mr Seddon said.
The proposed enforcement areas include Maid Marian Way at its junction with Friar Lane, where U-turning traffic during green-man crossing periods could cause “significant risk of fatality or serious injury”.
Other areas include Sheriffs Way and Queens Road, at the junction with Arkwright Street, where vehicles are not supposed to turn right or left, as well as the section of Shakespeare Street from its junction with Goldsmith Street and the section of the Victoria Embankment from a point in line with the suspension bridge in a north-westerly direction.
Vehicles here had been travelling through the recreational area in front of the war memorial, creating a significant risk of serious injury to other road users.
Drivers caught during the first six months of operation will receive a warning letter initially, before a fine if the offence is committed again.
A fine is £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days and any revenue received from this type of enforcement is ring-fenced under legislation.
Cllr Angela Kandola (Lab), the 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.”
