A camera installed in Norwich to catch drivers making illegal turns cannot be used because a council did not realise a legal document was more than four decades out of date.
The BBC says the camera was put up to catch drivers making illegal right turns from Carrow Road (adjacent to Norwich City FC’s stadium) on to King Street, but Norfolk County Council found that a traffic regulation order (TRO) – put in place in the early 1980s – had long-since expired, meaning that making the manoeuvre has actually been legal for decades, and the authority has now proposed a permanent order to be put in place.
When it was introduced in 1982, the order banned drivers from making the turn at peak times of day – from 07:30 to 09:30 and 16:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.
In February, the council installed the camera so it could take action against those who ignored the apparent rules. It has been in operation since then and – while no penalty charge notices have been issued to motorists – the council said it had sent out 1,067 warning letters “to highlight to drivers that they had not complied with the relevant road signs”.
However, it said that when it carried out a review, it found the original order was only temporary and had expired. The council is seeking comments on plans for a new permanent order, but it means the camera cannot be used to fine drivers in the meantime.
“The planned enforcement at this location has been paused while the new TRO is now being considered,” a spokesman said. “If the TRO is implemented, we will begin a six-month warning period before issuing penalty charge notices.”
(Pic: Mapillary)
