Agenda item

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet makes an application to the DfT for powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions in accordance with Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004;
   
   
2. That Cabinet delegates the management of operational policy regarding camera site selection and operation to the Director for Highways and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure and the divisional member;

3. That Cabinet delegates the authority to approve future camera enforcement sites to the Director for Highways and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure and the divisional member ensuring there is a cost neutral financial case, or if not other identified funding.

4. That Cabinet approves the setting of PCNs to be issued with MTE at the higher level (£70) for moving traffic contraventions.

5. That Cabinet agrees to receive annual reports on the effectiveness of MTE by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure.

6. That Cabinet delegates authority to make decisions about the use of any surplus income to the Director for Highways and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure.

7. That Cabinet agrees to begin a procurement process to appoint a supplier for ‘Civil Enforcement services’ with the outcome being reported back to the Cabinet for approval prior to award.

Reasons for Decisions:

The recommendations above will enable the council to help achieve some of its Community Vision 2030 objectives, including that:

• Residents live in clean, safe and green communities, where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities; and

• Journeys across the county are easier, more predictable and safer.

Specifically, traffic enforcement cameras provide an option to make travel and transportation schemes more effective and could be a key tool in helping deliver transportation and environmental objectives to reduce congestion and improve facilities for buses, cycles and pedestrians, particularly vulnerable road users.

The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure who explained that the Department for Transport (DfT) would be allowing councils in England and Wales to apply for new powers to carry out Moving Traffic Enforcement (MTE). This meant traffic enforcement cameras could be used to enforce a variety of highway restrictions on Surrey roads to help improve safety and reduce congestion. They could also be a key tool in the development of our new transport strategies (LTP4) aimed at improving infrastructure for buses, cycles and pedestrians. The government sees these new powers as a key tool in reducing congestion and improving air quality whilst promoting attractiveness of active travel. This is by keeping vehicles out of cycle lanes and other parts of the road where vehicles are prohibited. In addition, by enabling authorities to use such powers to keep junctions clear, the policy also aims to improve punctuality of not only journey times for car users, but also bus services contributing to making sustainable travel more of an attractive choice and increasing compliance through targeted enforcement at problem locations. Two locations had been shortlisted, both these locations have over 3000 breaches a week in yellow boxes and an application will be made to the DfT in May. There would be a six week public consultation on the installation of cameras. The DfT has stipulated that warning notices must be sent for a period of six months from the installation of the camera when motorists commit an offence for the first time. 

The report was welcomed by the Cabinet and it was commented that the new powers would help tackle congestion issues in the county and would make roads safer.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet makes an application to the DfT for powers to enforce moving traffic contraventions in accordance with Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004;
   
   
2. That Cabinet delegates the management of operational policy regarding camera site selection and operation to the Director for Highways and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure and the divisional member;

3. That Cabinet delegates the authority to approve future camera enforcement sites to the Director for Highways and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure and the divisional member ensuring there is a cost neutral financial case, or if not other identified funding.

4. That Cabinet approves the setting of PCNs to be issued with MTE at the higher level (£70) for moving traffic contraventions.

5. That Cabinet agrees to receive annual reports on the effectiveness of MTE by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure.

6. That Cabinet delegates authority to make decisions about the use of any surplus income to the Director for Highways and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure.

7. That Cabinet agrees to begin a procurement process to appoint a supplier for ‘Civil Enforcement services’ with the outcome being reported back to the Cabinet for approval prior to award.

Reasons for Decisions:

The recommendations above will enable the council to help achieve some of its Community Vision 2030 objectives, including that:

• Residents live in clean, safe and green communities, where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities; and

• Journeys across the county are easier, more predictable and safer.

Specifically, traffic enforcement cameras provide an option to make travel and transportation schemes more effective and could be a key tool in helping deliver transportation and environmental objectives to reduce congestion and improve facilities for buses, cycles and pedestrians, particularly vulnerable road users.