Senior councillors have agreed to tighten up enforcement powers to help clamp down on parking, bus lane and moving traffic infringements in Calderdale.
Using cameras where appropriate, the aim is to keep traffic moving and highways safe rather than increasing revenue from fines, says Calderdale Council.
But goals of the council’s new Traffic Enforcement Policy Framework, which Cabinet members have agreed to adopt, include strengthening policy foundation for the issuing of fixed penalty notices – fines – and strengthening the council’s position in the event of challenges, objections or appeals.
In particular, it will support delivery of the council’s approved Bus Hotspots and Moving Traffic Enforcement Programme, councillors were told.
Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, Coun Darren Commons, said the framework establishes the principles, governance and operational approach that will guide use of enforcement powers.
Coun Commons (Reform UK, Brighouse) said this includes “ensuring that any action taken is fair, proportionate, transparent and focused on improving compliance with traffic regulations.”
“The report also highlights the role that effective enforcement can play in improving road safety, reducing congestion, supporting public transport reliability and creating a more effective highway network for residents, businesses and visitors.
“This administration has been clearly committed to ensuring that traffic management measures are properly enforced where they are introduced.
“Enforcement is an essential component of creating safer roads, tackling inconsiderate driving and ensuring that transport investment delivers their intended benefits,” he said.
Through adoption of this framework, the council demonstrated its “determination to take a robust but balanced approach” to enforcement, said Coun Commons.
This supported compliance with traffic restrictions, protecting vulnerable road users and helping develop wider objectives for safer, cleaner and more accessible communities across Calderdale, he said.
:Leader of Calderdale Council, Coun Dan Sutherland (Reform UK, Illingworth and Mixenden), said it was an important policy which tied in with the administration’s ambitions around enforcement and maintaining the rule of law.
Cabinet councillors were briefed: “The council’s purpose is to secure compliance, not to maximise the number of Penalty Charge Notices or generate income.
“Enforcement will only be introduced where there is an evidenced need, the restriction is lawful and clear, camera enforcement is necessary and proportionate, and the site has passed the council’s pre-enforcement assurance process.”
The Bus Lane and Moving Traffic Enforcement Policy covers the moving traffic restrictions that Calderdale Council can enforce through civil penalties.
These include bus lanes, bus gates and streets reserved for buses, as well as banned turns, compulsory directions, no-entry restrictions and one-way streets.
It also covers roads that can only be used by certain types of vehicles, pedestrianised areas and streets with restricted access.
The policy also applies to restrictions on vehicle weight, width, height or class where these can be enforced through civil powers.
It covers yellow box junctions, mandatory cycle lanes and other traffic signs that fall within the legal enforcement regime.
Any additional traffic offences that are brought into the civil enforcement system through future legislation would also be covered by this policy.
The policy does not cover criminal road traffic offences, which remain the responsibility of the police.
It does not apply to speed enforcement or to civil parking enforcement, which is dealt with under a separate council policy.
It also does not cover detailed technical standards for road layouts, detailed instructions for council officers on gathering evidence or cancelling penalties, or enforcement on roads or land that fall outside the council’s legal powers and jurisdiction.
The Civil Parking Enforcement Policy covers relevant on-street restrictions and council-operated off-street parking places governed by lawful orders.
The framework now adopted brings the two together in terms of approach.