Ahead of applying for new powers for the enforcement of certain types of traffic restrictions, Hampshire County Council is seeking residents’ views on 10 proposed locations where moving traffic regulations could be enforced by the Authority.
The County Council is set to be one of a number of highways authorities, who will be making an application to the Secretary of State for Transport under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. Prior to formally applying for the powers, highway authorities are required to carry out a public consultation, to include a list of potential sites where the powers would be applied.
Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at the County Council, said: “The locations identified are those where there is evidence the restrictions such as banned turns, ignoring yellow box markings at junctions and parking on school ‘Keep Clear’ markings are frequently being ignored. Central Government is making it possible for highways authorities to take on the responsibility for certain types of enforcement with the Police continuing enforcement of others.
“Having the powers to enforce moving traffic restrictions will give us the ability to improve highway safety and help to reduce congestion on Hampshire’s roads. Over time, we should see better compliance with the restrictions with fewer and fewer contraventions, as a result. It is expected that the costs of setting up and running enforcement arrangements will be offset by the revenue raised, while better compliance will reduce the requirements for further spending on overall traffic management.”
The following locations are being proposed due to their Personal Injury Accident record (i.e. the number of recorded collisions at a site that have resulted in an injury), historical reports of poor compliance of the traffic rules in the area, and the potential for traffic congestion and delays.
Basingstoke and Deane
Alencon Link, Basingstoke – Prohibition of Driving (with an exception for buses)
Norn Hill, Basingstoke – Bus Gate
Eastleigh
· Leigh Road junction with M3 Southbound Slip Road, Eastleigh – Yellow Box Marking
Fareham
· White Hart Lane, Portchester Community School, Fareham – School Keep Clear Marking
Havant
Waterlooville Precinct, Waterlooville – Prohibition of Driving and Pedestrian Zone (except for buses and loading/unloading)
Hart Plain Avenue – School Keep Clear Markings
New Forest
Staplewood Lane junction with A326 Marchwood By-pass – Prohibition of Right Turn
Rushmoor
A325 Farnborough Road, junction with Empress Avenue/Napoleon Avenue, Farnborough– Prohibition of Right Turn
Test Valley
A3057 Alma Road, Romsey (outside fire station) – Yellow Box Marking
Winchester
Station Hill, Winchester – Bus Gate
Before enforcement is undertaken the road signs and markings at each location would be assessed, with improvements made if necessary, to ensure the restriction is as clear as it can be and in full compliance with the regulations.
Respond online by 27 March
The six-week consultation is open until midnight on 27 March 2022 and people can tell the County Council what they think of the proposals online via the County Council’s website: www.hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/traffic-enforcement-consultation
Respond by email or post
People can also email their response directly to Hampshire County Council using the email address: traffic.management@hants.gov.uk Anyone requiring a paper copy of the response from should contact Strategic Transport by email to traffic.management@hants.gov.uk or by calling 0300 555 1388
Feedback analysis
The feedback will help to inform the decisions the County Council needs to make about enforcement at the proposed sites. The analysis of the findings from this consultation will be reported to the Executive Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, Councillor Rob Humby, later this year.
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