Have your say on Council’s consultation on powers relating to moving traffic

Cheshire West and Chester Council is considering whether to apply for enforcement powers for moving traffic offences later this year, to tackle congestion and disruption on the road network.

The Government’s Department for Transport’s (DfT) has now introduced Part Six of the Traffic Management Act 2004.  This gives local authorities enforcement powers to enforce contraventions such as making prohibited turns and stopping in yellow boxes at junctions.

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

Initially, the Council has undertaken awareness raising regarding the new powers and has provided details of hot spot areas in the borough where mobile CCTV cameras could be used.  Cameras in these locations would capture moving vehicles that break the rules and Penalty Charged Notices (PCNs) could then be issued to the owner of the vehicle.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “Section 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 will give the Council powers to make the borough’s roads safer and less congested for all road users.

“Powers to enforce against moving traffic offences, such as banned turns, weight restricted roads and yellow box junctions will help to keep local roads moving, make them safer and make our air cleaner.  The purpose of these powers is to better enforce existing restrictions, not to introduce new restrictions.

“The consultation closes on 8 June, so it’s not too late to give your views.”

If the powers are adopted, for the first six months, drivers would only be issued with a PCN for their second offence.  After that period, a first offence would then result in a fine.

Information regarding the hot spot locations currently being considered is available here:

Council’s website.

Anyone wishing to suggest locations where moving traffic enforcement should take place can email: 

parking@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk 

...or in writing to:

Parking Services, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 0BE.