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We are applying to the government for the power to enforce motoring offences and target areas where they occur.
This could be on roads where turning left or right is prohibited, going the wrong way in a one-way street or stopping in school-keep-clear areas.
These offences create an unsafe environment and place all road users at risk.
Following a change in legislation in May 2021, councils can now apply to have legal powers to enforce these offences.
Up until now the police have enforced moving traffic offences outside London but local councils are keen to take on the powers so they can actively tackle problem areas.
Neighbouring authorities, including Bristol City Council, have already adopted the powers and seen a positive change in driver safety on its roads as a result.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera technology is used to do this.
Drivers will receive a warning letter for a first offence within the first six months of that site being enforced.
Any second offences with the six months, and all offences after the first six months, will be met with a fixed penalty notice.
All income generated must be spent on the scheme, maintaining camera equipment or on highway improvements.
Each site considered for enforcement will first be monitored and those seen as having significant issues will be put forward.
A period of engagement with road users will then follow, to allow us to gather further information about how people use the site.
The first road to be targeted will be the no right hand turn when exiting Searle Crescent near Asda onto Winterstoke Road, in Weston-super-Mare.
Our consultation into this site begins today (Friday) and runs for six weeks until Monday 25 September. Results will be shared in early October.
Find out more about the scheme and how to get involved on our website.
If our application to the Department for Transport is successful it’s anticipated we’ll have the new powers early next year.