Have your say on plans to enforce moving traffic offences in Bury

Saturday, 26 August 2023 10:45

By David Murphy

Bury Council is planning to apply to the Department for Transport (DfT) for powers to enforce moving traffic offences, and wants to hear the views of residents, businesses and interested parties.

The council wants to use these new powers to improve the borough’s road network and enhance road safety for all users. Local authorities have been able to apply for these new powers since 31 May 2022.

Examples of moving traffic offences that can be enforced include:

Entering a yellow box junction when the exit is not clear
Undertaking banned turns
Driving through a ‘No entry’ sign

Currently, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is responsible for enforcing moving traffic offences in the borough of Bury. If the council took over these responsibilities, it would allow GMP to focus on other policing priorities.

The aim is for Bury Council to expand on the work it already does enforcing against unlawful and dangerous parking and misuse of bus lanes.

Five sites across the borough have been identified for enforcement due to persistent issues at these locations. They were chosen using a scoring matrix that looks at the non-monetary benefits of enforcement and considers factors such as collision data, proximity to schools, proximity to walking and cycling routes and traffic flows. The proposed sites are:

Site 1 - A56 Bury New Road / A6044 Hilton Lane/Scholes Lane, Prestwich
Site 2 - A56 Bury New Road / A665 Bury Old Road/ Higher Lane, Whitefield.
Site 3 - A58 Rochdale Road / A56 Derby Way/George Street, Bury
Site 4 - A56 Manchester Road / A6053 Dumers/Millwood Court, Bury
Site 5 - Moorgate – A56 Walmersley Road / A58 Peel Way/ Derby Way, Bury.

Once powers are granted to Bury Council, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed at the five sites to enforce the restriction. ANPR cameras will be signposted in advance of junctions to give drivers sufficient notice of enforcement.

During the first six months of the enforcement, there will an introductory period and warning notices will be issued to motorists in breach of restrictions for their first offence. For any further contravention of the same restriction, a penalty charge notice (PCN) will be issued.

Income from fines will be used to cover the operational costs of carrying out the enforcement and for highway improvement projects, public transport provision and environmental improvements.

How you can have your say

As part of the application to the DfT, a statutory six-week consultation is being held.

The consultation runs from Tuesday 22 August until Monday 2 October.

To give your feedback on the proposed enforcement sites, put forward suggestions for improvements at these sites, and suggest other locations, complete the online survey at:

https://pclengagement-hub.co.uk/en-GB/folders/burymte

Your feedback will help us understand if there are any issues with the five locations that we have identified and help us develop plans for assessing and prioritising future locations within the Bury borough.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Further arrests in Rochdale and Manchester as GMP intensifies crackdown on historic child sex abuse

Specialist investigation team arrests more suspects and secures major convictions as survivors of non-recent exploitation continue to come forward
Seven Sisters tenants reaction to the news they could soon be removed

Billy Jackson has called Rochdale’s Seven Sisters home for 40 years. But shock decision means 2025 will be his final year in the iconic tower blocks.
Festive magic arrives in Bury as North Pole Safari Trail transforms town centre

Free augmented reality trail, festive lights switch-on and family events launch Christmas celebrations in Bury
Replacement mosque plans approved despite concerns about parking

Plans to knock down and rebuild a mosque in Prestwich have been approved despite a 1,630 person petition opposing it.
Andy Burnham ‘taken aback’ by decision to move hundreds out of Seven Sisters towers

Andy Burnham was ‘taken aback’ by a decision to clear Rochdale’s iconic ‘Seven Sisters’ tower blocks, forcing hundreds from their homes.
Nine-bed HMO built ‘without permission’ discovered after neighbours complain

Council enforcement officers discovered a nine-bed HMO had been created without permission after a complaint from neighbours, councillors have heard.
Rochdale’s music legacy takes centre stage with iconic Cargo Studios reunion

Rochdale’s rich musical heritage was centre stage at a packed launch event marking the beginning of a new borough-wide celebration called ‘Rochdale Music Stories’, featuring big names like Peter Hook, Clint Boon and Andy McCluskey.
Naked man stops traffic on Rochdale Road in Bury in shocking mid-morning incident

A naked man caused disruption on a busy Bury road on Wednesday morning, swatting at cars and attempting to open vehicle doors before being detained and taken to hospital.
Seven Sisters tower blocks to be emptied over safety concerns

Residents of the iconic tower blocks that have dominated the skyline of Rochdale since the 1960s have been told they will be evicted due to safety concerns.
Culture Co-op secures £1 million to give Rochdale residents more say over arts and creativity

Rochdale’s Culture Co-op has been awarded £1 million to put local people at the heart of cultural decision-making, as part of a £42 million national programme run by Arts Council England.
Hollin pupils turn happiness into poetry during magical session in Middleton

Middleton Library plays host to spellbinding session with Rochdale’s poet laureate Sammy Weaver
Waugh presses government to ensure grooming inquiry tackles race and class ‘head on’

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh says national grooming inquiry must win survivors’ trust and 'follow the evidence wherever it leads’