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A decision was made at cabinet this week for Nottinghamshire County Council to initiate the enforcement of moving traffic contraventions using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at two initial sites within the county. 

This development follows the recent granting of powers by the Department for Transport (DfT), enabling the Council to enforce specified traffic movements and improve traffic management.

Since June 2022, local authorities have been able to apply for the power to enforce traffic movements. The DfT's criteria included selecting pilot sites, conducting a public consultation, and auditing Traffic Regulation Orders. Nottinghamshire identified two sites for initial enforcement due to high levels of non-compliance and significant traffic volumes.

The County Council formally applied to the DfT for moving traffic powers after consultation in March 2024. Following a brief delay due to the General Election, the powers were formally conferred to the County Council on 7 December 2024.

Two sites have been selected for initial enforcement due to high levels of non-compliance:

Radcliffe Road/Trent Boulevard Junction: Marked with a yellow box to prevent traffic queuing. CCTV enforcement will improve vehicle flows into and out of Nottingham city as well as addressing banned left turns out of Trent Boulevard.

B6166 ASDA Access, Newark: Restriction prevents right-turns into ASDA to reduce queuing and enhance safety at the busy Beaumond Cross junction.

ANPR cameras together with enhanced signing and lining will be installed in the spring of 2025 for each site. Once these are operational, enforcement can commence with warning notices initially issued to drivers.

The CCTV cameras cost approximately £24K to install together with improved signing and lining. This cost will be met from the existing enforcement surplus. Penalty Charge Notices (set nationally) are £70 reduced to £35 for payment within 14 days. Any future surplus from enforcement after operational costs are deducted must be ring-fenced for expenditure so could be used to fund further sites.

As the initial sites are established, further work will take place to identify the next tranche of appropriate sites for enforcement, and an identified list will be presented to the Cabinet Member this spring. This will be based upon the existing levels of compliance and the benefit to the public. The County’s pedestrian areas will be reviewed as a priority.

One specific location that shows evidence of a high volume of vehicles ignoring the pedestrian restriction is Cartergate in Newark and it is proposed that this site is a high priority to be addressed.  A review will shortly commence to consider the issues fully and develop proposals that will be subject to further consultation.  
 
Cllr Neil Clarke MBE, cabinet member for transport and environment at Nottinghamshire County Council said: "These extended powers will allow us to strengthen our commitment to improving road safety and reducing congestion in Nottinghamshire. The use of ANPR cameras at these key sites will help us manage traffic more effectively and ensure compliance with traffic regulations. We are aware of the current issues in Newark and will look to add a site at Cartergate in the near future and will be investigating several other areas where these cameras can make a very great difference.”

Read the full cabinet report at the Nottinghamshire County Council Democratic Decisions pages