As part of the Traffic Management Act (2022), the Government will be giving councils the option to apply for powers to enforce against ‘moving traffic offences’. Currently, only the Police can enforce against these offences.

Bedford Borough Council is considering acquiring these powers, and wants to hear the views of local residents, businesses and interested parties.

These powers would enable the council to expand the work it already does enforcing against illegal and dangerous parking, and misuse of bus lanes. The Council Parking Services Team would carry out this enforcement work, as part of their current duties.

Other offences would be enforced where the appropriate signs are in place. These include one way streets, no U-turn allowed, no left/right turns, no entry, box junctions, as well as areas where cars are not permitted such as cycle lanes.

Cllr Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Highways said “With the powers the Council already has, our team works hard to keep our roads safe. The proposed further powers to enforce against ‘moving traffic offences’ would complement this work and help us tackle that minority of irresponsible drivers.