Chance to have your say on enforcement of traffic offences

Norfolk County Council has launched a consultation to ask for feedback on proposals to introduce enforcement of moving traffic offences, at locations in Norwich and Great Yarmouth, using traffic monitoring camera technology.

The Department for Transport has confirmed plans to make it possible for local authorities to apply for powers to enforce moving traffic offences. If the powers are granted, this responsibility will help Norfolk County Council deliver its road network management duties.

The government has recognised the benefits of traffic offences being part of local network management duties, particularly as traffic flows and speeds as well as casualty rates have improved in cities such as London following the introduction of this approach. The benefits towards protecting sustainable and active transport have also been highlighted, with tangible advantages in improving air quality and progress towards the decarbonisation of transport.

Cllr Martin Wilby, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said: "Please do take a look at the consultation and fill in the short online feedback form to let us know your thoughts and whether there's anything else we may need to take into account when considering these potential locations. This feedback will help shape our plans and help inform councillors' decisions on any application we might want to make to the government for enforcement powers in these locations."

The six week public consultation is now open and runs until 25 April.

Find out more and have your say (opens new window)Find out more and have your say

Further information

The proposals are to enforce existing restrictions at each location using camera technology. We're not proposing to make any alterations to the existing restrictions at this time.

The proposed locations have been identified in collaboration with Norfolk Constabulary and the main bus operators in Norfolk.

The proposed locations are detailed below:

• Gentlemen's Walk - pedestrian/cycle zone with access for loading only permitted between 5pm and 10am every day (this is likely to change to 4pm to 10am shortly), which is often violated by vehicles during the busiest parts of the day
• Carrow Road - right turn ban onto King Street during morning and evening peak times in order to ease congestion. At this point the outer and inner ring road converge into one over the bridge, so is a particularly sensitive part of the road network. Drivers violating the ban waiting to turn right hold up traffic causing congestion and air quality issues.
• King Street - right turn ban onto Carrow Hill during peak times similar to Carrow Road above.
• Martineau Lane - right turn ban onto Europa Way industrial estate. This is on the outer ring road and similar to above on King Street and Carrow Bridge causes congestion issues, including for buses.
• Regent Road, Great Yarmouth - a pedestrian zone with access for loading only during quieter periods of the day, which is often violated by vehicles.
• Dereham Road, Norwich (near Norwich Road) - bus lane which often is violated, resulting in delays to buses. There is a frequent bus service along this corridor.
• Dereham Road, Norwich (near Marl Pit Lane) - bus operators report that delays are also experienced here as a result of vehicles violating the bus lane.

Funding would be required to implement and sustain this type of enforcement service, with the aim of moving towards a self-sustaining financial model by offsetting costs against penalty charge notices.

This proposal is in line with the county council's Environmental Policy and proposed Local Transport Plan 4, which both set out an objective of working towards carbon neutrality by 2030, as well as favouring improvements for public and sustainable transport.