Councillors asked to approve next steps for improving safety and tackling congestion

A report going before councillors next week will ask them to approve measures to tackle moving traffic offences in Brighton & Hove.

In May, the Government gave local authorities the opportunity to apply for powers which would allow them to enforce certain traffic offences in problem locations.

The powers being sought would look to tackle problems which pose a safety risk to people in the city and tackle congestion strategically.

On Tuesday 20 September, Members of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability (ETS) committee will be asked to approve recommendations that would take this to the next step, including a public consultation.

Background

At the moment, the police are responsible for enforcing moving traffic offences but, because of other priorities, these offences can fall behind other pressures on the police service.

From 31 May 2022, local authorities have been given the ability to apply for powers to enforce offences such as:

• stopping in a yellow box junction
• banned right or left turns
• illegal U-turns
• going the wrong way in a one-way street
• ignoring a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), such as those used for School Streets
• incorrectly driving into a bus lane (currently, enforcement of bus lanes is carried out under the regulations in the Transport Act 2000)

However, the new devolved powers do state that enforcement should only be used to target problem locations and where reasonable improvements to the highway and signing have already been made.

Appropriate monitoring would also need to be carried out at each location before enforcement action is considered.

What happens next?

If approved by members of the ETS committee, council officers would begin the process of applying for the new powers, following statutory guidance, which would include public consultation on the types of restrictions and locations in question.

Any roll out would focus on strategic routes and safety issues in the first instance on a trial basis.

If powers are granted, we would then procure technology and the resources needed for enforcement, reviews and deal with appeals.

The report says that enforcement would not begin until Autumn 2024.

Where could enforcement begin?

In the initial phase, a number of problem locations have been identified, including

• Lewes Road junction with Upper Lewes Road (banned turning)
• Old Shoreham Road junction with New England Road (yellow box junction)
• Church Street junction with Mount Zion Place (prohibition of traffic)
• School Streets (enforcing restrictions)

More information can be found in the committee report.

Improving safety and keeping the city moving

Councillor Steve Davis, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee said: “We’ve long called for the power to enforce offences which put the safety of residents at risk and increase congestion in the city.

“Using monitoring data and consulting with residents, we can identify those problem areas of the city and take action against people breaking the law, especially those who put others in danger."