BUCKS Council has responded to new data which claims they're 'out to make money' through new ANPR cameras which have been installed across the county.

Confused.com data shows a high percentage of drivers in the UK believe local councils are prioritising making money over improving road safety.

Buckinghamshire Council are one of 14 local bodies that were recently granted new powers to enforce penalties for 'moving traffic offences'. 

The council are now able to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNS) and fines between £20 and £105 for offences that have historically only been enforceable by the police.

Moving traffic offences include incorrectly driving in a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction, making an illegal U-turn, going the wrong way in a one-way street and making banned right or left turns.

According to research, 47 per cent of drivers said they think councils are out to make money, rather than to improve road safety, with a further 28 per cent saying they believed traffic offences should be left to the police.

Car insurance expert, Louise Thomas, said: “As councils in England are granted powers to issue fines for moving traffic offences, the hope is that road safety will improve and police force workloads will be supported.

“But in order to improve road safety, councils will be monitoring moving traffic offences with a close lens. Although it’s expected that councils will give warnings prior to issuing monetary fines, this doesn’t mean that drivers should take the risk and commit offence, since they could get a fine of up to £105.”

The council, however, say the cameras will help to reinforce the rules of the road to make drivers feel safer. 

READ MORE: First set of ANPR cameras are installed on these Wycombe roads

Cabinet minister for transport, Steven Broadbent, said the newly granted powers to fine motorists for offences will help to reinforce the rules of the road and aim to make all road users feel safer, reduce congestion, and improve public transport and emergency services vehicle response times as well as improving air quality.

He added: “We are rolling out cameras in 14 locations that have been identified as needing improvement and will soon open suggestions for the public to nominate areas they believe could benefit from enforcement cameras.

"We understand this is a significant change but want to assure all residents that we are focusing on improving the safety of the public while implementing these new powers.”

It comes after residents spotted ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras being installed in several areas across Bucks including Gore Hill in Amersham, Chesham High Street and Marlow Hill in High Wycombe.  

If motorists feel they have been unfairly issued with PCNs, they can use Confused.com's challenge checklist to see if they are eligible for an appeal.