Plans for stronger enforcement to be put in place to crackdown on motorists in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area breaking road restrictions has moved forward.
BCP Council’s cabinet has unanimously backed the introduction of moving traffic enforcement, which would use cameras to target offences such as banned turns and stopping on yellow boxes. The scheme aims to improve road safety and reduce congestion across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, says the Bournemouth Echo.
Monitoring carried out in November 2025 found more than 5,000 traffic violations in one week across 21 sites.
A report shows that a £500,000 investment will be made with the temporary use of the repair and maintenance reserve during 2026/27 will support implementation ahead of the scheme becoming operational.
The report also shows it is estimated that a simple site consisting of one camera will have an initial install cost of between £20,000 and £25,000 with an ongoing maintenance and licensing cost of between £5,000 and £10,00 a year.
A more complex site will cost between £25,000 and £40,000 to install and with a maintenance cost of £8,000 and £15,000.
During a cabinet meeting on Wednesday 22 July, Cllr Andy Hadley said:
“This is not about making money, it is about enforcing good behaviour.”
Cllr Sandra Moore responded:
“I’m happy to support this, because both the previous Borough of Poole and BCP have tried to prevent motorist turning right into a road into my ward which leads to a residential area with two large mainstream schools, a special school, a nursery, a youth club, a MUGA and the entrance to well used playing fields.
“There is the appropriate road sign and road markings but none of it stops people from turning right. I don’t know if it will be included but I would be very pleased if it were because this is definitely problem that needs improving in the interest of road safety.”
Cllr Jeff Hanna emphasised the scheme’s focus on improving road conditions. He said:
“I would be concerned if anyone used this to suggest this is an anti-motorist move on behalf of the council because it is actually very much pro-motorist in terms of traffic moving safely and smoothly. this is very much about safety and is very much pro safe driving motorists.
“This is going to involve a warning notice in the first instance. So this is not an attempt at trapping people and getting money from them through fines this is about warning notices the first time around and it is only future traffic contraventions that will warrant an actual fine.”
The scheme will now go to a full council meeting for final approval.
(Picture: Yay Images)
