Gloucestershire County Council is proposing a significant step to tackle dangerous driving by introducing automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at 16 high-risk sites across the county. This move aims to enforce existing moving traffic restrictions more effectively, improving safety and easing congestion.
The council launched a public consultation on January 19 to gather residents' views on the proposal. Currently, enforcement of moving traffic offences—such as ignoring road signs, driving in banned areas, or stopping in yellow box junctions—is the responsibility of the police. The new plan would empower the council to directly enforce these rules using ANPR technology, offering more consistent and efficient monitoring.
Moving traffic offences pose risks not only to drivers but also to pedestrians and cyclists. Non-compliance disrupts traffic flow, leading to congestion and delays that can impact emergency services and public transportation. The council emphasizes that no new restrictions are being introduced; rather, the focus is on better enforcement of existing regulations.
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The 16 targeted locations have been identified based on poor compliance reports and the resulting safety concerns. These include the yellow box junction on the A430 in Quedgeley, the left-turn-only area on the A38 at Whitminster, and the yellow box junction at Bruton Way/Station Road, among others. Additionally, the Gloucester Gate Streets, where new access restrictions came into effect on January 5, will be monitored using ANPR cameras as part of the consultation.
Councillor Rebecca Trimnell, representing Hempsted and Westgate, welcomes the ANPR enforcement, highlighting the scheme’s potential to prevent unauthorized through traffic and reduce vehicle damage in sensitive areas. She suggested that any income generated from fines could help fund local initiatives, such as freezing resident parking permit fees or repairing street paving affected by excessive traffic.
Roger Whyborn, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport and Strategic Highways, stressed that the goal of these measures is to enhance road safety, reduce congestion, improve air quality, and support reliable bus services. He emphasized that the council is not aiming to penalize drivers unfairly but to encourage adherence to traffic rules that protect vulnerable road users and maintain traffic flow.
Residents, businesses, and road users are encouraged to participate in the consultation, which remains open until March 1, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Subject to feedback, the council plans to implement enforcement from spring 2026.
Feedback can be sent directly via email to [email protected].