West Sussex County Council is planning to use new powers to improve safety and tackle congestion by enforcing moving traffic offences in the county, it has said.
The council has applied to the Department for Transport (DfT) for additional powers to enable it to enforce offences which could previously only be enforced by the police. A public consultation is currently live and we are seeking feedback on the locations where these additional powers are initially proposed to be used.
The council has now applied to be allowed to enforce key highway restrictions or prohibitions with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) enforcement cameras. If successful, these powers will be used across the county with the aim of:
• improving road safety and Active Travel initiatives
• tackling congestion issues
• increasing the number of drivers complying with the rules of the road
In addition to meeting these aims, this initial approach will complement work currently being undertaken as part of the West Sussex Bus Service Improvement Plan. This plan sets out the council’s ambitions to sustain the bus network and help it flourish through increased passenger numbers, targeted reductions in fares, less pollution, more high-frequency services, improved rural transport and multi-modal ticketing.
Should the powers be approved, it is intended that in due course, the council will roll out the use of ANPR to enforce other types of moving traffic contraventions.
