Cheshire West and Chester Council to catch rule-breaking drivers with ANPR cameras

At Cheshire West and Chester Council's cabinet meeting on yesterday (September 14), councillors took the decision to apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for enforcement powers of moving traffic contraventions.

Initially, new cameras are planned at hotspot locations in Chester and Ellesmere Port, which could pave the way for their use elsewhere in the borough, such as Northwich and Winsford.

Thirteen potential camera locations had been first identified, including the junction of Chapel Street and New Warrington Road in Wincham and in High Street, Great Budworth.

But following a public consultation, the list was reduced to four.

Councillor Karen Shore, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, said: "This is not about introducing new restrictions.

"The purpose of these powers is to better enforce existing restrictions, helping to keep local roads moving and make our air cleaner. 

"This application is to give the council powers to make the borough’s roads safer and less congested for all road users.

"In England, contraventions are currently largely enforced by the police except in London where councils already have these powers.

"Members of the council’s scrutiny committee will be involved in reviewing the impact of a new enforcement system, and there will be opportunities to consider other road safety hotspots in the future, that are supported by the public."

The new cameras would capture moving vehicles that break the rules and penalty charge notices (PCNs) could then be issued to the owner of the vehicle.

Cabinet agreed the penalty charge level to be set at £70 for a moving traffic contravention (reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days).

Drivers would only be issued with a PCN on their second offence during the first six months the cameras are in operation.

First offences would then result in fines after that period.