New enforcement camera goes live in town centre

The camera has been put up at a junction in Northampton

Northampton motorists have been warned a new enforcement camera has been introduced to monitor a no-turning zone.

The device has been installed at the Horse Market junction with Mare Fair in the town centre.

West Northamptonshire Council said more cameras would be switched on in the area "in the near future" to "reduce the risk of accidents".

There will be a six-month grace period on the new device, with a warning notice issued for first offences by any vehicle.

The council said the camera would operate where vehicles were prohibited from turning left when travelling out of Mare Fair.

It said the camera would improve pedestrian, cyclist and driver safety and encourage better driver behaviour.

Vehicles are not permitted to turn left out of Mare Fair in Northampton

Anyone caught by the camera a second time, or a first time from May, faces a £70 fixed penalty, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

The council said the four current enforcement cameras, three in Northampton and one in Old Stratford, issued 1,513 penalties and 80 warning notices in October.

Phil Larratt, the council's Conservative cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Whilst we understand some have raised concerns, many are supportive of our efforts to improve road safety.

"We are hopeful that this and the other cameras set to go live here in the near future will reduce the risk of accidents."