Enforcing moving traffic offences: Traffic Management Act 2004 - Part 6

Update 25 November

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in this consultation.

The consultation report is now available in the Documents section. The proposal went to Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 8 September 2022 where it was agreed that procurement could begin to secure a supplier to provide this service. This is ongoing with an aim to begin Moving Traffic Enforcement in 2023.

Kent County Council (KCC) is planning to use new powers to improve safety and tackle congestion by enforcing moving traffic offences, such as:

• driving through a 'No Entry' sign
• turning left or right when instructed not to do so (making banned turns)
• entering yellow box junctions when the exit is not clear
• driving where and when motor vehicles are prohibited
• driving on routes that are for buses and taxis only.

These rules can currently only be enforced by the police under criminal law. The Department for Transport (DfT) announced in 2020 that they would be fully implementing the remaining elements of the Traffic Management Act under Part 6, which would allow Highway Authorities to undertake enforcement.

Our first step is to apply to the DfT for the powers to enforce key highway restrictions or prohibitions to make our roads safer and less congested. If KCC is granted these powers, we will be able to use them across the county. However, at first we are planning to use the powers at seven sites:

KCC will be setting out the approach to the enforcement of moving traffic offences. In line with DfT guidance, it will state that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras can only be used to enforce against moving traffic offences at sites where all other methods of deterrent have been tried, but further measures are still required.

More information on the 1st tranche of sites and a list of all of the traffic signs we plan to enforce is available in the Documents section.

The new regulations are expected to come into effect in June 2022. We hope to begin enforcement at the 1st tranche of sites in Autumn 2023.