3 days Ago
New roadside surveillance cameras to catch law-breaking city drivers will be up and running within months. The cameras will detect drivers committing what are known as 'moving traffic offences', such as ignoring bans on turning, going into bus lanes or down pedestrianised streets. They are due to be installed on four busy Norwich roads by the end of the year.
Conservative-controlled Norfolk County Council announced plans to install the cameras more than two years ago - and carried out public consultation over the move . County Hall has confirmed the first cameras will go live in the coming months. A council spokesman said: "Norfolk County Council still intends to begin enforcement in locations previously consulted on, our contractors are in the process of getting the technology on the sites ready for use.
"We expect these sites to become operational over the next few months." Until a recent law change, Norfolk motorists committing such offences could only be caught by police officers. Gentleman's Walk in Norwich would be covered by the cameras (Image: Archant) But the previous government announced councils would be given powers to issue £70 penalty notices to drivers it caught and County Hall secured permission to do so.
Previous council papers stated that would bring in £250,000 in fines between 2024 and 2027. Along with Norwich, cameras will initially be put up in Great Yarmouth. The council said other locations could follow in future years.
When the plans were announced, Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said: “It is plain wrong that the council thinks it can raise £250,000 from moving traffic offences. Simon Williams, from the RAC "The only way such high amounts can be generated is if drivers aren’t given adequate advance warning of when bus lanes are in operation or where bus gates are." The council has said for the first six months, drivers would get warning letters for the first offence and fined for subsequent ones.
There would be immediate fines after they have been in place for six months. Which streets would be covered? The Norwich streets are: Gentleman’s Walk – pedestrian/cycle zone with access for loading only permitted at certain times. Carrow Road/King Street – devices in both streets will enforce the right turn ban on to King Street during morning and evening peak times to ease congestion.
The junction of King Street and Carrow Road (Image: Archant) Martineau Lane – the right turn ban to Europa Way industrial estate on the outer ring road. Dereham Road - enforcing bus lane violations near Norwich Road and Marl Pit Lane. Great Yarmouth's Regent Road (Image: Newsquest) In Great Yarmouth , Regent Road would be covered - a pedestrian zone with access for loading only during quieter periods of the day.
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