Council aiming to use new powers to fine ‘thoughtless’ drivers

Council chiefs are aiming to use new powers and number plate recognition to fine ‘thoughtless’ drivers committing traffic offences on Oldham’s roads.

In May this year the government changed rules to allow local authorities to conduct their own moving traffic enforcement in order to manage roads known to be hotspots for traffic offences.

‘Moving traffic offences’ include incorrectly driving into a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction, banned right or left turns, illegal U-turns and going the wrong way in a one-way street.

The powers had previously been held by the police, which was the only body outside London that could issue such fines.

But a survey by the Local Government Association of councils in England found that 67pc said that police did not actively enforce any moving traffic offences in their area.

Oldham council has now launched a consultation on using the new enforcement powers in six areas of the borough.

Chiefs are hoping that cracking down on offences such as blocking junctions will help public transport, especially trams.

The authority will use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and will issue penalty charge notices to drivers breaking the law, who could be fined up to £70.

For the first six months of the new enforcement powers there will be an introductory period in which warning notices will be issues to motorists.

But after a first offence, a penalty charge notice will be issued to a driver during the introductory period if they are caught again.

The locations where the enforcement will take place are at the A62 Manchester Street, on the north-west side of Manchester Street where the tram route crosses over the road.

It will also be in place on the B6194 Glodwick Road at the junction of Hamilton Street opposite the back of the Hopwood House Surgery and at the A62 Huddersfield Rd at the junction of Livesey Street outside the Damasgo restaurant.

The A62 Huddersfield Road at the junction of Holt Street southwest bound between the Weavers Arms and Minders Arms pubs, and the A62 Manchester Road at the junction of Stanley Road and Ashfield Street next to the Safestore Self Storage facility will also be monitored.

Finally the council will issue fines if motorists are found to be committing traffic offences on the A62 Manchester Road at the junction with the M60 Junction 22.

The council says the income from enforcement would go towards the cost of the enforcement, for transport transport provision and to pay for highway and environmental improvements in the borough.

It will also be assessing further locations for moving traffic enforcement, ‘particularly locations where there are incidences of poor driver compliance to traffic restrictions’.

Council leader Amanda Chadderton said: “If just one thoughtless driver blocks a yellow box it can snag up an entire road, causing significant delays in the local community which quickly generate various road safety concerns.

“The areas we have identified are locations where significant disruption takes place regularly.

"If we are given power to enforce moving traffic offences then we’ll be able to address the issue.”

The consultation runs until November 1 and a full scheme of enforcement could come into force by next summer if approved by the government.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.