Drivers could be fined on dangerous roads as council gets new powers

Drivers could soon be fined for traffic offences at six dangerous roads in Bristol, with cameras being installed at six locations and drivers who get caught breaking the rules could be fined from next summer.

Councils across the country are getting new powers to enforce moving traffic offences, which the police are currently responsible for enforcing. These offences include illegal U-turns, driving the wrong way down a one-way street, or turning left or right where this is prohibited.

The six sites are in Fishponds, Withywood, Redland, St George and close to Temple Meads.

The council’s cabinet approved the new measures on December 6, although final sign-off must first come from the Department for Transport, before the scheme takes effect.

Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: “We have long campaigned to deal with moving traffic enforcement. Being able to enforce moving traffic contraventions across the city will add to road safety measures that are already being taken to make sure Bristol’s roads are safer for its citizens and drivers.

“We’ll look at how we make the most of these powers in other locations, balanced with the resources. Mobile cameras might be an option in future.

“These six locations are a great start, as they are known problem areas. Moving traffic enforcement gives us direct control to ensure those who break the law are penalised.”

The six sites are:

• Hockey’s Lane and Fishponds Road junction, Fishponds
• King Georges Road and Queens Road junction, Withywood
• Lower Redland Road between Elgin Park and Exeter Buildings, Redland
• Furber Road between Raeburn Road and St Anne’s Road, St George
• Bath Bridge Roundabout and Cattle Market Road junction, near Temple Meads
• Hareclive Road and Anton Bantock Way junction, Withywood

The last junction on the list was the site of a fatal car crash in 2017, when a driver struck father-of-two Keith Pullin, from Hartcliffe, who was walking to a dentist appointment.

Since the crash, his family have campaigned for a traffic enforcement camera at the junction, along with their local ward councillor.

Labour councillor Kerry Bailes, representing Hartcliffe and Withywood, said: “I’m delighted that the council is moving forward quickly to install an enforcement camera on Hareclive Road and Anton Bantock Way junction.

“This will undoubtedly deter drivers from reckless, illegal driving and help prevent another fatal injury at the junction.”

More sites in Bristol could also see cameras installed to catch drivers making moving traffic offences. But the process involves “jumping through many hoops”, according to Alexander, who added he was keen to hear suggestions for other dangerous roads and junctions.

Alexander said: “I wish traffic regulation orders didn’t take so long. It was interesting to see how the government during the coronavirus pandemic managed to loosen up the regulations to allow temporary traffic regulation orders to happen more quickly.

“As soon as that crisis was over, they then reverted to an anachronistic form of the law — where we have to jump through many hoops, put statutory notices in the Bristol Post at great cost and other things which make all of our traffic schemes more difficult and more expensive.”

Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol

Main photo: Martin Booth

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• Bristol City Council plans crackdown on dangerous driving
• Cyclist in her 30s dies after being hit by a lorry

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