Drivers abusing the rules of the road, including driving through no entry signs and entering yellow box junctions, could soon be a thing of the past - as the council has finally been granted powers to get tough on bad driving. 

Buckinghamshire Council is one of a handful of local authorities in England to have been granted powers to enforce Moving Traffic Offences (MTOs) - examples of which include making banned turns and driving on routes that are only for buses and taxis. 

Previously, outside of London, the powers to enforce these restrictions fell only to the police, but following a change in the law which allowed local authorities to apply for powers to enforce MTOs, Buckinghamshire Council consulted on whether people would like to see it take on these powers and as a result applied for the powers to enforce them.

The council has now been told by the government that it was successful in its application.  

It means they can now get tough on rule-breakers - like the average of 381 drivers who abuse the Castle Street 'buses only' restrictions in High Wycombe, and an average of 480 per day who are caught on camera flouting the Corporation Street 'buses and taxis only' rules.

Fed up shoppers and High Wycombe residents have long complained about drivers flouting the rules – and the council’s camera trial revealed just how bad the problem really is.

The new powers will enforce areas where existing restrictions are already in place. The council is in the process of procuring ANPR (Automatic Number Place Recognition) camera systems to be located in 14 identified places around the county.

It is expected these will be installed and ready to use from December.

Cllr Steven Broadbent, cabinet member for transport at Bucks Council, said: “The granting of these new powers is great news for residents and all road users in Bucks.

"Moving Traffic Orders are put in place where there is a need to enforce the rules of the road to motorists.

"They are designed to keep traffic moving and keep both other motorists and pedestrians safer.

"It’s important for people to realise, it’s not about trying to catch people out on purpose and raising money for council coffers, it’s about keeping everyone safe and reinforcing the rules of the road.

“Enforcing MTOs has many additional benefits for our environment which we are also keen to achieve in line with our climate change strategy.

"Better flowing traffic leads to less air pollution and safer roads can encourage people to switch to more sustainable forms of transport including cycling or using public transport over their own car which has multiple benefits for everyone.”

During the first six months, motorists caught breaking the rules will be sent a warning letter for their first offence.

If they are caught again they will receive a fixed penalty charge notice (PCN).

After the initial six months, all offenders will be subject to a PCN.

Funds generated from fixed penalty notices will be restricted for use only for specific measures including highway repairs, public transport provision and other environmental projects.

The ANPR cameras will be mobile allowing them to be moved to new locations once enforcement within an area has been carried out and driver behaviour has adapted to abide by the restrictions.

Signage will be erected in advance of cameras being installed to give drivers plenty of notice of the enforcement powers.

Here is the full list of proposed locations for the ANPR cameras: 

  1. Amersham - Gore Hill - No right turn out of Fieldway on to Gore Hill
  2. Amersham - Whielden Lane A404 - No right turn into Whielden Street
  3. Amersham - Amersham Road (A413) junction with Pipers Wood - No U-turn
  4. Aylesbury - Mandeville Road - No right turn into private road (back of Asda near hospital)
  5. Buckingham - High Street at the junction with Moreton Road A413 (running parallel to A422) - No entry
  6. Buckingham - Well Street - Environmental weight restriction - Prohibition of goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 T
  7. Chalfont St Peter - Oval Way outside Thorpe House School - School keep clear
  8. Chesham - High Street - Pedestrian zone - prohibition of motor vehicles except loading for commercial vehicles
  9. Gerrards Cross - Packhorse Road junction with Station Road - Entering yellow box junction with no clear exit
  10. High Wycombe - Corporation Street - Prohibition of vehicles except buses and taxis (Hackney carriages only)
  11. High Wycombe - Hamilton Road outside The Royal Grammar School - School keep clear
  12. High Wycombe - Marlow Hill junction with School Close - Entering yellow box junction with no clear exit
  13. High Wycombe - Castle Street - No entry except for buses

Wexham - Uxbridge Road at the junction with Black Park Road - No U-turn