On Monday, January 29, Liverpool’s second phase of enforcement cameras went online with the goal of reducing moving violations.
As part of new enforcement powers, Liverpool City Council has been installing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at various locations to help reduce traffic, enhance road safety and air quality, and promote sustainable travel.
The Traffic Management Act (2004), specifically Part 6, grants local authorities the authority to penalise unsafe driving practices, which were previously solely police-enforced under criminal law.
The Department of Transport (DfT) granted Liverpool City Council these powers, and it is using the cameras to support its ongoing efforts to combat unsafe and illegal driving practices.
In November, the city centres Lime Street and Ranelagh Place enforcement cameras went online, and first-time offenders were given warning notices. In that period, we have issued more than 8,500 notices.
Repeat offenders caught ignoring traffic instructions on Lime Street will now face £70 fines as of this week.
Furthermore, on Monday, January 29, a second batch of cameras went online at four more locations. However, in accordance with DfT guidelines, fines will not be applied right away. First-time offenders will receive a warning notice of the restrictions during a six-month grace period; repeat offenders will be subject to a fine thereafter.
Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said:
“Road Safety is of paramount importance to the Council. These new powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions are a key part of a wider programme to improve road safety across the city.
“These new APNR cameras will enable us to enforce the Highway Code and improve behaviours at key junctions, in both the city centre and near to our schools.
“Our overall aim is to educate people to be more patient behind the wheel, and ideally encourage people to think twice about using the car at all. Most car journeys in the city are under 5km, many of which could be done by alternative methods.
“That’s why as a Council we’re supporting moves to improve public transport and why we’re investing millions of pounds in active travel infrastructure to make it easier and safer to walk and cycle more often.”
The new locations area at:
- St Annes Street outside the fire station – yellow box junction
- Whitechapel at Crosshall Street – yellow box junction
Two ‘school streets’ (for Greenbank Primary School and Much Woolton Primary School) will also see APNR cameras at:
- Arlington Avenue/Greenbank Road
Arlington Avenue/Nicander Road - Watergate Way at Priorsfield Way
A camera is also in place at Watergate Lane at Woodrock Road and is set to go live in early February.
These ‘school streets’ are pedestrian and cycle zones which operate Monday to Friday, 8.30–9.00am and 2.30–3.40pm and do not allow vehicle access, with exceptions including those with blue badges, those loading or those who are valid permit holders.
A camera is also in place at Lime Street between Skelhorne Street and St George’s Place to enforce the bus-only route. These cameras are set to go live in February.
An ANPR camera is also in place on Ranelagh Street to enforce the bus-gate regulations there.
The new ANPR cameras will further complement changes to key parts of the city’s highways network such as the upgrade of The Strand and Lime Street, and the increasing number of cycle lanes being introduced across the city.
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