In 2020, the government announced that local authorities will be permitted to enforce against moving traffic offences on the highway and issue penalty charge notices for contraventions.
Currently, only the police can enforce against these offences.
Offences we will be able to enforce
The offences we will be able to enforce include:
- driving through a ‘no entry’ sign
- turning left or right when instructed not to do so (making banned turns)
- entering yellow box junctions when the exit is not clear
- driving where and when motor vehicles are prohibited.
Medway Council would like to use these new powers to improve safety and deal with congestion.
See the full list of traffic signs subject to moving traffic enforcement.
These new powers would not include traffic speed enforcement, which remains with the police.
We are already able to enforce parking restrictions, including zig-zag markings outside schools, and the use of bus lanes.
Locations subject to enforcement
Our first step is to apply to the government for the powers to enforce these important highway restrictions and prohibitions. If they are granted, we will be able to use the powers across Medway from 2023.
At first, however, we are planning to enforce existing signs and road markings at 8 locations:
- Gillingham High Street - enforce ‘no motor vehicles’ restriction
- Rochester High Street - enforce ‘no motor vehicles’ restriction on Saturdays
- Rock Avenue junction with the A2, Gillingham - enforce the yellow box restriction
- A2 Watling Street, junctions with Ash Tree Lane and Canterbury Street, Gillingham - enforce the yellow box restriction
- A2 High Street junction with Orchard Street, Rainham - enforce the right turn ban
- Gibraltar Hill junction with A230 Maidstone Road, Chatham - enforce the yellow box restriction
- Cuxton Road, High Street junction with Gun Lane, Strood - enforce the yellow box restriction
- Whittaker Street/High Street, Chatham, including junction with The Brook - enforce pedestrian zone and no entry restrictions.
These initial sites have been chosen because we believe enforcing contraventions will improve safety for pedestrians and have a positive impact on traffic flow at these locations.
We will install automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to capture offences, like those already installed on some of our bus lanes and at Chatham Waterfront Bus Station.
Each site will be subject to technical assessments over the coming weeks to confirm their suitability for camera enforcement and, as a result, the list may be subject to change. No additional sites will be added for now.
Moving traffic offences survey
We would like to hear your views on our plans to use new powers to enforce moving traffic offences.
Take part in the moving traffic offences survey
The survey will be available until 31 July 2022.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Transport and Parking by emailing transportandparking@medway.gov.uk.
Additional enforcement sites across Medway will be considered at a later date and will be subject to the same consultation process.