Moving traffic enforcement
Local authorities in England (outside London) became empowered in May 2022 to adopt the powers for enforcement of moving traffic restrictions. This is all laid out under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004.
As a result, local highway authorities, such as Southend-on-Sea City Council, will be able to use cameras to catch people breaking specific traffic rules while driving.
The Council are preparing for these powers to be adopted to:
- improve road safety
- reduce congestion
- decrease pollution
The first step in the process is to apply to the Department for Transport (DfT) and be one of the authorities that can enforce highway restrictions and or prohibitions.
We plan to roll the programme out in phases.
As part of the first phase, we have identified 10 locations which have high levels of non-compliant behaviours:
- Site 1: Fairfax Drive at the junction with Prittlewell Chase - Yellow Box Junction (YBJ)
- Site 2: A13 London Road at the junction with Nelson Road - Yellow Box Junction (YBJ)
- Site 3: Cokefield Road at the junction with Hamstel Road - No right turn
- Site 4: A13 at the junction with Elm Road - Yellow Box Junction (YBJ)
- Site 5: Greenways Primary school - School street
- Site 6: A127 Eastbound (Bell interchange) at the junction with Rochford Road - Yellow Box Junction (YBJ)
- Site 7: Bournes Green junior school - School street
- Site 8: A127 Prince Avenue at the junction with A1158 Prince Avenue - No left turn
- Site 9: Nelson Road at the junction with A13 - No right turn
- Site 10: Warrior Square at the junction with Chichester Road - No right turn
How will the Council enforce these restrictions?
The Council will make use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
What will the revenue from these restrictions be used for?
In line with relevant legislation, any income from the Penalty Charge Notices issued will be reinvested back into projects that:
- improve road safety
- increase active and sustainable travel
- increase lifespan of the city's highways assets
What is next?
Following on from the conclusion of the public consultation in September 2023, a formal application seeking new powers to enforce moving traffic offences was submitted to the Secretary of State as part of Tranche 3 at the end of October 2023.
The DfT has now advised that the Tranche 3 Designation Order necessary to enable civil enforcement of moving traffic contraventions was unfortunately not laid in Parliament in March 2024 as previously planned. The process has therefore been delayed until later in the year or early 2025.
Upon the eventual laying of the Designation Order in Parliament, an effective date when the powers will come into force will be announced. This milestone will empower the Council to conduct enforcement activities for specified moving traffic offenses, contributing significantly to enhanced safety, reduced congestion, and the promotion of active travel. The successful implementation is contingent upon securing the necessary funding and investment.