Council caves in as drivers ignore traffic ban

11/10/2023 | CHRIS AMES

A Norfolk County Council cabinet member has unilaterally decided to scrap a ban on cars using a street in the centre of Norwich, largely on the grounds that large numbers of drivers were ignoring the restriction.

The decision by Tory councillor Graham Plant follows prime minister Rishi Sunak's pledge to end 'anti-car measures'.

Cllr Plant, the council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, used an Individual Cabinet Member Decision to allow a series of restrictions implemented through experimental traffic regulation orders to lapse next month, including one on Exchange Street in Norwich. Other restrictions will be made permanent.

As Highways has reported, Norfolk Police has previously said that 'finite resource’ prevented it from taking action against motorists illegally using Exchange Street. Instead, it arrested or moved pedestrians seeking to act as ‘human bollards’.

A document setting out reasons for the decision, states that a survey in January found hundreds of vehicles using the street between 10am and 4pm when no vehicles should enter and that only 3% of the total traffic observed was legitimately using it for loading purposes.

The report describes the police as having initially ‘enforced’ the restriction, ‘through educating drivers with verbal warnings and clarification’, followed by issuing fixed penalty notices (FPN).

It states: ‘The need to intervene has reduced, particularly once the approach to issue FPNs was introduced, but a persistent level of noncompliance remains.

Despite stating that the need to intervene had reduced, the council decided to drop the restriction on safety grounds.

Cllr Plant said: ‘Safety will always be our priority and it is clear that maintaining the current arrangement would continue to see an unacceptable mix between vehicles and those walking, wheeling and cycling.

‘We therefore will not be making the restrictions permanent, and Exchange Street will re-open to traffic. In the coming weeks we will be working with the city council and local businesses on Exchange Street and surrounding area to work through the changes.’

The council previously told Highways that if the ban became permanent it would consider using enforcement cameras to enforce moving traffic violations in Exchange Street, as it had done elsewhere under new powers.

This week it told Highways that the process to introduce cameras is not simple but requires a clear evidence base that they are both needed and that motorists understand the restrictions.

Once this is established, a further public consultation is needed and there needs to be a route that avoids the restriction without drivers having to reverse in the highway, which is not possible with the current arrangement, the council added.

A spokesperson for Norfolk Constabulary said: 'Norfolk Constabulary have been heavily involved in the enforcement of the restriction. The approach was more to work with and educate drivers in the first instance rather than purely enforcement.

'We began to issue tickets when the volume of traffic remained high but committing resources on a regular basis to police Exchange Street long-term is not sustainable.'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW