Violating yellow box junctions, banned turns and driving in cycle lanes could soon be enforced by Bath & North East Somerset Council as part of efforts to improve road safety.

Blocking a yellow box could see you receiving a penalty charge notice
Councillors will consider a report next Thursday, 5th May, which recommends the local authority applies to the Department for Transport for enforcement powers at hotspots in the area where restrictions are regularly contravened.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Transport, said: “Currently only the police can enforce moving traffic offences, but it’s not a priority for them.
“Motorists who ignore these restrictions can pose a real danger or cause congestion which can impact air quality, so I welcome the Government’s decision to change the regulations to allow civil enforcement.
“This is not about raising revenue, it’s about educating drivers and improving road safety.”
If granted the powers, the council says it will use its discretion on where to apply them.
Locations where drivers regularly breech restrictions will be evaluated to see if engineering solutions, such as road markings or kerb lines, or the additional education of drivers, through for example additional road signs, can achieve compliance with the restrictions.
If these measures fail to solve the problem, enforcement action will then be considered in consultation with local communities.
Where cameras are installed, the council will issue a warning notice for the first contravention at each location during the first six months of operation to help educate drivers and make these locations safer for all road users.
Residents and stakeholders have already been asked for their views on whether restrictions should be enforced with ANPR cameras at five initial sites.
Of the 142 responses received 65% (91) were supportive of the council using moving traffic enforcement cameras at the proposed locations, compared to 35% (50) who objected.
The local authority’s cabinet is now being asked to approve enforcement at the following locations:
- A367 Charles St/Monmouth Street, Bath – yellow box and banned turn
- George Street/Gay Street, Bath –banned turn
- Brook Road, Bath – commercial vehicle weight restriction
- Newbridge Road/Newbridge Hill, Bath – banned turn
- High Street/Bath Hill/Temple Street, Keynsham – banned right turn (subject to further review)
If the council’s application to the Government is successful, it will be able to use its enforcement powers from Wednesday 1st June.
It’s anticipated the operating costs of the scheme will be met by income generated by PCNs issued.
However, each recorded contravention of restrictions will be reviewed to ensure that the action taken is proportionate and not automatically generated and motorists will have the legal right of appeal if they are issued with a penalty charge notice.
The council plans to monitor compliance at sites where ANPR cameras are installed.
Where driver behaviour improves the cameras may be relocated to other hotspots.