Motorists have been warned they face an immediate penalty for breaking new traffic restrictions in place across the East Midlands region.
West Northamptonshire Council has increased its traffic enforcement across three busy areas of the town in a bid to stop reckless driving.
The added measures mean that drivers now face immediate fines for entering a hatched yellow box at the junction of St John’s Street and Victoria Gardens.
Other traffic enforcements include penalties for using “no right turns allowed” from Fishponds Road into Great Billing Way and the bus only route at Hermitage Way.
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Drivers were issued warnings in first six months of enforcement measures
PAThe measures were put in place earlier this year to help reduce traffic congestion after the Department for Transport changed legislation to enable local authorities to apply for powers to enforce traffic contraventions.
During the first six months of enforcement measures going live, a warning notice was issued for first offences to any vehicle.
But since August 1 (St John’s Street) and August 16 (Fishponds Road and Hermitage Way) onwards, anyone who has breached the rules at these sites has received a fine of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.
During August, 796 motorists received immediate PCNs across the traffic enforcement sites.
At St John’s Street Box Junction, the council handed out 415 PCNs, a further 316 fines were issued for breaching “No right turns” from Fishponds Road into Great Billing Way while Hermitage Way bus only route saw 65 drivers fined.
Highway measures such as box junctions, the prohibition of turning movements and bus lanes were introduced to help reduce congestion, improve road safety, and ensure better flow of traffic and public transport.
Councillor Phil Larratt said: “Unfortunately, the police do not have the resources 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.”
Larratt added: "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."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Fines can be reduced by half if paid within 14 daysGETTYThe council explained: “Warning Notices are issued to each vehicle keeper for a first offence. They are issued at each and every moving traffic site for the first six months after a camera has gone live.
“Any further moving traffic contravention at the same camera location will result in the issue of a PCN.
“The enforcement of moving traffic contraventions is carried out by a static approved camera. The camera takes a recording of all vehicles. After identifying vehicles that have contravened the restriction, an evidence pack is assembled and a PCN is issued by post.”
