New government rolls out moving traffic enforcement powers

The Government has given powers to enforce moving traffic violations to a third tranche of 22 English highway authorities after the process was stalled in the spring.

The Bus Lane Contraventions (Approved Local Authorities) (England) (Amendment) and Civil Enforcement of Moving Traffic Contraventions Designation Order 2024, designates parts of each of the 22 councils’ areas as civil enforcement areas for moving traffic contraventions.

This allows them to take action against drivers committing violations such as no entry; no left or right turn; prohibited vehicles; box junction infringements or driving in mandatory cycle lanes.

The 22 authorities appear to be the same councils who were due to be given the powers in March, but the Department for Transport wrote to the authorities to tell them that the ‘Tranche 3 Designation Order’ had been shelved.

That decision appeared to reflect concerns of Tory ministers that councils were using powers to fine drivers ‘far too liberally’.

It was criticised at the time by Isaac Occhipinti, head of external affairs at the British Parking Association (BPA).

This week, he told Highways: ‘The BPA are delighted that the Government have indicated they will restart the Moving Traffic Enforcement (MTE) scheme. MTE is a fantastic tool for local authorities to help them manage traffic and parking, especially in complex areas like outside schools.’

The highway authortities handed the powers under the latest order are:

• Bolton Council
• Bury Council
• Devon County Council
• Dudley Metropolitan Council
• Hull City Council
• Leicestershire County Council
• North Somerset Council
• North Yorkshire Council
• Nottinghamshire County Council
• Plymouth City Council
• Portsmouth City Council
• Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
• Sefton Council
• Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
• Southend-on-Sea City Council
• Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
• Suffolk County Council Sunderland City Council
• Wiltshire Council
• City of Wolverhampton Council
• City of York Council
• West Sussex County Council.