On 14/01/2024 01:57 pm, Simon Mason wrote:
Thousands of drivers were caught out in the first 24 hours of new traffic cameras going live in Liverpool city centre.
Less than two months ago, Liverpool Council was granted new powers to punish people who flout specific regulations like driving through no entry signs and zones dedicated for buses and taxis. Those found doing so face a penalty of a £70 fine.
New local authority data has now revealed how many drivers fell foul of the new cameras in the first weeks of the roll out. The specialist devices have been placed at Lime Street’s junction with London Road and Ranelagh Street at Brownlow Hill.
Under the new powers, which will include the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, those waiting too long at yellow box junctions, banned turns and misuse of bus gates could face a fixed penalty charge notice (PCN). During the first
six months following implementation of moving traffic enforcement in practice, Liverpool Council is to issue warning notices for first-time moving traffic contraventions.
These advise that any further moving traffic contravention at the same camera location would result in the issuing of a PCN. An update on the city’s parking strategy confirmed more than 4,000 motorists had been caught flouting the rules between
November 20 and December 14.
Of those, 1,400 were identified in the first 24 hours. More than 2,500 warnings were issued in the initial three weeks of the cameras being in place.
Instances where buses and taxis were identified by the cameras were not included.
The new powers granted were previously solely available to London to enforce moving vehicle contraventions. This had been the responsibility of the police.
The documents, to be discussed by the city council’s sustainable, safe and thriving neighbourhoods scrutiny committee next week, said there are currently 41 civil enforcement officers in post across Liverpool. The service has identified that a
further 74 staff could be considered to “further enhance the impact of parking enforcement within the city.”
In September, the local authority also confirmed it would seek to bring back bus lanes as part of its wide-ranging four year transport strategy. The new committee documents said work will get underway to establish how this can be achieved.
It said: “As part of the work with the Combined Authority and the ambitions of the council to generate an increase in bus use, a number of bus lanes will be introduced across the city to improve journey times and the journey experience for passengers.
To ensure compliance with the new bus lanes, enforcement will be undertaken on these routes utilising camera technology and civil enforcement officers to ensure these lanes remain clear for bus travel.”
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/staggering-number-drivers-caught-out-28430934
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