More traffic cameras set to improve road safety

The rollout of more traffic enforcement cameras will be considered by a council after it found the measures improved road safety at other locations in the county.

West Northamptonshire Council originally said 13 locations across Northampton had been identified and discussed during a consultation that took place from November to January.

The cameras are now due to be set up in 10 locations, after the local authority's figures showed that 80% of motorists who received a penalty charge notice from its traffic cameras "avoided further breaches".

The action was being taken because of ongoing issues with drivers ignoring restrictions in other areas, it added.

The sites identified for new traffic enforcement cameras include roads drivers are banned from turning on, such as:

• Upton Valley Way East junction with Banbury Lane
• Collingwood Road, junction with St Matthew's Parade
• Abington Square, right turn onto Wellingborough Road side, near Charles Bradlaugh statue

The council is also considering placing cameras where drivers are prohibited from entering yellow box junctions without a clear exit, such as:

• St Peter's Way, junction with Weston Wharf
• Cliftonville Road, at the entrance to the hospital
• Harborough Road, two sites (Cock Hotel junction and junction with the A5095)
• Weedon Road, junction with Spencer Bridge Road
• Mere Way, opposite the fire station and at the Wootton Hall Park junction

Traffic enforcement camera could also be placed on roads where drivers are not permitted to drive down, such as St Giles' Square, between Wood Hill and Derngate.

Richard Butler, a Reform UK councillor and the authority's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "When drivers ignore restrictions, it can cause congestion, delay emergency services and put other road users at risk.

"We have carefully reviewed each of these locations and focused on the places where enforcement will make the biggest difference.

"This is about improving behaviour and keeping traffic moving, and our current enforcement does suggest most drivers are responding positively."

If the council's cabinet approves the plans, which will be considered on 15 September, the cameras could be switched on later in the year.

The enforcement camera will use automatic number plate recognition to identify drivers, which would be checked by a person before a fine was issued.

For the first six months drivers committing a first offence will receive a warning and not a fine.

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