The four new traffic cameras planned for Lancashire's junctions
The council has launched a consultation
Cameras to catch motorists making unlawful manoeuvres could be installed at four more Lancashire junctions.
Lancashire County Council has launched a public consultation into proposed new locations for the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) devices – with two planned for Preston, one for Leyland and another in Accrington.
If the plans are approved, it would double the number of places where the kit – which keeps an eye on spots where drivers are known to flout the rules – is in place across the county.
It was first rolled out on four other routes in February after what the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) previously revealed was a lengthy delay.
Highways bosses are now proposing to install the technology at additional locations where there is evidence of drivers repeatedly ignoring restrictions – and causing congestion, near misses and even collisions as a result. Complaints from residents have also been taken into account.
If and when the cameras start operating, drivers who ignore the traffic regulations at the four sites will be issued a £70 penalty charge notice (PCN) which will be reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.
The authority usually gives a grace period whereby first-time offenders are sent a warning letter for a short time after any on-street monitoring equipment goes live, rather than a fine.
The proposed new camera locations are:
Maudland Road/Fylde Road, Preston (no right turn)
Lancashire County Council says: “Drivers regularly ignore the no right turn restriction at the junction of Maudland Road and Fylde Road.
“The junction has been designed to encourage the left turn only. Breaking the restriction increases the risk of accidents and near misses on Fylde Road, a busy route near the city centre.
“We have received a number of complaints about drivers breaking this restriction, which brings them into conflict with oncoming traffic travelling north-west on Fylde Road.
“There has been one accident resulting in injury at this junction in the past five years.”
Romford Road/Blackpool Road, Preston (no right turn)
Lancashire County Council says: “We regularly receive complaints about traffic turning right out of Romford Road onto Blackpool Road, just a short distance from the busy Deepdale Retail Park.
“Evidence indicates that Romford Road is being used as a shortcut to avoid the traffic signals on Blackpool Road, ignoring the no right turn restriction.
“This results in vehicles coming into conflict with oncoming traffic travelling north west on Blackpool Road. Vehicles making right turns from this junction significantly increase the risk to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
“There has been one accident at this junction in the last three years.”
Chapel Brow/Golden Hill Lane, Leyland (no right turn)
Lancashire County Council says: “Drivers frequently ignore the no right turn restriction at the junction of Chapel Brow and the B5254 Golden Hill Lane. This creates a significant safety risk as vehicles turning illegally have no visibility of the signals on the pedestrian crossing on the B5254, leading to near misses and red-light violations.
“Enforcement at this location will reduce rat running through the town centre and reduce the conflict between oncoming vehicles and pedestrians at the pedestrian crossing.
“There have been five accidents resulting in injury at this junction in the past five years.”
Holme Street/St. James Street, Accrington (left turn only)
“There are regular instances of drivers ignoring the one-way restriction at the junction of Holme Street and St James Street.
“The junction has been designed to encourage the left turn only. Breaking the restriction increases the risk of accidents on this busy stretch of road.
“Vehicles making right turns at this junction come into conflict with traffic travelling south on St. James Street, significantly increasing the risk to pedestrians, cyclists and oncoming vehicles.
“Whilst no injury accidents have been recorded at the junction recently, drivers breaking the restriction cause near misses, and we receive regular complaints about traffic turning right out of the junction.”
County Cllr Warren Goldsworthy, County Hall’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said the planned camera installations had been determined by “data” that has focused on “the areas where issues are most persistent”.
He added: “When traffic restrictions are ignored it can lead to congestion, delays and increased safety risks for other road users.
“The proposed locations have been identified based on feedback from residents and evidence of drivers repeatedly ignoring the existing restrictions.
“This engagement gives people the opportunity to share their views before any decisions are taken.
“Camera enforcement is one way we can help improve safety and keep traffic moving, and I would encourage anyone with an interest in these areas to take part and let us know what they think.”
In 2023, Lancashire County Council was given the green light to use ANPR devices under new powers introduced by the government allowing local authorities to take action against drivers committing so-called ‘moving traffic offences’.
However, it was almost three years before monitoring began at the first four chosen locations – on Charnley Street and at the Ringway/Bow Lane junction, both in Preston, the Morecambe Road/Aldi junction in Lancaster and the Hyndburn Road/McDonald’s junction in Accrington. The delay was attributed to work to ensure that the equipment was “value for money”.
After receiving initial permission from the Department for Transport, the authority now has the power to install ANPR cameras in any location in order to capture moving traffic offences – without needing further approval for Whitehall.
As well as turning restrictions, they can also be used to monitor box junctions – which should not be entered unless the exit from them is clear or a vehicle is turning right – and streets where motor vehicles are prohibited altogether.
Have your say
The public consultation into the new proposed ANPR sites runs until 27th July and comments should be emailed to: [email protected].
Lancashire County Council is requesting views, in particular, on any safety concerns at the sites and the time of day such issues usually occur.