Moving traffic offences

We are applying to the government for the power to enforce moving traffic offences. 

Moving traffic offences include:

• driving into a 'no entry' road
• going the wrong way in a one-way street
• turning left or right where this is not permitted
• parking in a ‘School Keep Clear’ marked space

Moving traffic offences create unsafe environments for the public, placing all road users at risk. People with limited mobility and additional access requirements are especially vulnerable to drivers who ignore the rules of the road.

We propose to use these enforcement powers at a pilot site where there are high numbers of traffic offences. The council will be able to enforce this site through Automated Number Plate Recognition cameras to reduce the number offences. 

In this survey, we are seeking your views on anything else we should consider before deciding on whether to apply civil enforcement measures at this pilot location.

Moving traffic offences in North Somerset can only be enforced by the police, but because of limited resource and other priorities, these offences are not their primary concern. 

However, these offences are a big concern for people who are affected by them.

On 31 May 2022, the government announced that local authorities outside of London and Wales can adopt moving traffic enforcement powers under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. 

North Somerset Council, as Highway Authority, intends to apply for these powers. This means that we would be responsible for enforcing the law for moving traffic offences in certain locations. This is known as ‘civil enforcement'. 

Traffic rules would be enforced using a CCTV traffic enforcement camera and drivers caught breaking the rules could be issued with a penalty charge notice (often called a fine).

We are looking to adopt these powers so we can tackle problem areas. The police will retain the powers to enforce moving traffic offences and will continue to enforce other offences, such as speeding, on all public roads.

Following engagement on the proposed pilot site, we will make an application to the Department for Transport in October 2023 requesting moving traffic enforcement powers. 

A decision is not expected to be received before the New Year. 

The decision for agreement to use the powers, if they are granted by government, is due to go before the Executive Committee on 6 September 2023. Powers will not be used without the approval of our Executive Leadership team.

As well as making our roads safer, more enforcement of moving traffic offences will help to encourage active travel and public transport, reduce congestion and reduce damage to our streets.

Our aim isn’t to issue fines to raise revenue, it is to make sure drivers follow the rules of the road for the benefit of all users. All income must be spent on the scheme, maintaining camera equipment or on highway improvements.

Data on offences will be collected and analysed to show that moving traffic enforcement is having a positive impact on the highway. It can also be used to shape the future design of highway schemes and open opportunities for schemes that otherwise could not be delivered.

We propose to take on enforcement of moving traffic offences at the following pilot location. This site has a history of problems and complaints that are well evidenced by a recent traffic camera survey.

We recognise there may be other locations that people think would benefit from future moving traffic enforcement cameras. The focus of this survey is on the suggested pilot site location. We may consider other sites in future.

We propose to adopt moving traffic enforcement powers and would like to know your views on our plans to apply the powers at the pilot location described above. 

The engagement will run from 9am on 11 August to 5pm on 25 September.

To give your views, please fill in the short survey using the button below. You will need to complete a quick registration process to access the survey.  

If you have any questions or would like this information in a paper version, another language, Braille, audio tape, large print, easy English, BSL video or CD Rom or plain text please contact us:

• Email: movingtraffic@n-somerset.gov.uk
• Phone: 01934 888 888

All responses to the survey will be included in a report that will be published on our website in September 2023. We will take your responses into account when developing final proposals for the pilot site.