Senior councillors are expected to approve a £95,000 scheme to put in cameras to enforce restrictions at five junctions in Brighton.
Brighton and Hove City Council cabinet members are being asked to approve the first “moving traffic enforcement” sites when they meet on Thursday (12 November).
A report said that the council was given the power to enforce moving traffic offences last December and so far it had been used only to support “school streets” schemes.
Early monitoring recorded 894 drivers being caught breaking the school streets restrictions in the week beginning Monday 7 September. Two weeks later the numbers had dropped to 693.
Now the council wants to bring in cameras to catch drivers who break the existing restrictions at five junctions
- Carden Avenue into Carden Crescent – one way street
- London Road into New England Road – no left turn
- Ditchling Road into Baker Street – no left turn
- West Street into Rottingdean High Street – no right turn
- Ditchling Road into Francis Street – vehicle prohibited except for access
A six-week public consultation brought 704 responses, with 403 in support, 253 against and 48 neutral.
The camera with the most support was the one proposed for the bottom of West Street, Rottingdean, where drivers are prohibited from turning right into High Street, with 148 of the 206 responses – or 72 per cent – were in favour.
More than half of those who responded were in favour at all but one site – the ban on turning left from London Road into New England Road.
In that case, there were 129 responses, with 61 – or 47 per cent – in favour and 56 – or 43 per cent – against. The remaining 10 per cent were neutral.
The report to cabinet said: “Overall, responses showed support for introducing camera enforcement at the proposed locations.
“Respondents highlighted benefits relating to road safety, pedestrian safety and compliance with existing restrictions.”
In future, decisions about more camera locations look likely to be left to a senior official in consultation with the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, currently Labour councillor Trevor Muten.
Potentially, the council could use cameras to enforce the rules around yellow box junctions, roads where drivers are banned from turning left or right or doing a U-turn.
Cameras could also catch those driving the wrong way along a one-way street and enforce the restrictions in more school streets.
Recently, there was an outcry from drivers who were sent fines for using school streets last month, during the half-term holiday, when the cameras should have been turned off.
The report to the council’s cabinet said: “Before enforcement is considered, officers must consider all other deterrents to non-compliance including additional clear signage and minor adjustments to the road layout.
“Enforcement cameras are a significant investment so a cost-benefit analysis for each site must also be considered.”
To qualify for enforcement, there must be police records of collisions as a result of drivers not following the restrictions.
There must be specific reports or evidence of illegal movements likely to cause road safety issues and likely to cause congestion.
The council’s cabinet is due to meet at Hove Town Hall at 10.30am on Thursday (12 November). The meeting is scheduled to be webcast.
