Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to manage congestion and accident areas

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet will consider applying to the Secretary of State for Transport, for the Borough to be designated as a civil enforcement area for the enforcement of moving traffic contraventions and the adoption of enforcement powers using ANPR cameras.

In England, these contraventions are currently largely enforced by the police except in London where councils already have these powers.

The Council worked in partnership with Cheshire Police to identify a list of 13 locations potentially suitable for enforcement using ANPR camera technology. The locations considered were congestion hotspots and areas recording accidents and near misses.

Traffic surveys were carried out in May and June 2022 to record the level of traffic contraventions at all 13 locations over a two-day period. 

The list of potential locations was shared during a 12-week public consultation between 16 March and 8 June.

The final prioritisation of locations for enforcement was carried out, considering all the available information, including, the up-to date traffic survey results and the consultation responses.

All locations were reviewed to determine whether any physical improvements could be made to the highway and/or signage so that the restriction would be self-enforcing. Following this, additional signage will be erected and some alterations to the road layout made at the junction of Grosvenor Street and Cuppin Street.

The locations prioritised for enforcement are:

Junction of Nuns Road and New Crane Street, Chester
No right turn into Nuns Road; Monday to Friday between 4.30pm and 6pm
330 contraventions during two-day traffic survey

Junction of Nuns Road and Grosvenor Road, Chester
Must turn left into Grosvenor Road; Anytime
392 contraventions during two-day traffic survey

Junction of Canal Street and Northgate Street, Chester
No right turn into Northgate Street; Anytime
367 contraventions during two-day traffic survey

Civic Way, Ellesmere Port
No entry except buses; Anytime
100 contraventions during two-day traffic survey

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “This application is to give the Council powers to make the borough’s roads safer and less congested for all road users.

“The locations we have identified have existing restrictions that are being ignored by some drivers. The purpose of these powers is to better enforce existing restrictions, not to introduce new restrictions, helping to keep local roads moving and make our air cleaner. 

“We will also do all we can to ensure drivers are aware that enforcement is being undertaken at the hot spot locations.”

The cameras in these locations will capture moving vehicles that break the rules and Penalty Charged Notices (PCNs) could then be issued to the owner of the vehicle. Cabinet will consider the penalty charge level to be set at £70 for a moving traffic contravention (reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days).

It is also planned that drivers will only be issued with an PCN on their second offence during the first six months the cameras are in operation.  First offences will then result in fines after that period.

The Government’s Department for Transport’s (DfT) has instigated:

Part Six of the Traffic Management Act 2004.  

This gives local authorities enforcement powers over contraventions such as making banned turns and stopping in yellow boxes at junctions.