More enforcement cameras introduced in town

Nearly 800 people were caught by the first enforcement cameras installed under the scheme

Motorists are being warned that more enforcement cameras will be introduced to police a bus lane and a no-turning zone.

Two of the devices are being brought online in busy parts of Northampton town centre.

Figures showed almost 800 fines were handed out in a month to drivers who were caught ignoring road restrictions in the town.

There will be six-month grace period on the new device in Marefair but the Gold Street camera will generate fines as soon as it is switched on.

West Northamptonshire Council consulted the public in 2022 on plans to install six enforcement cameras in busy parts of Northampton.

The first four are already up and running.

Anyone caught by the cameras faces a £70 fixed penalty, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.

The council, following government guidance, has given motorists a six-month grace period during which warning letters, rather than fines, are issued for a first infringement.

In their first month of operation, pictures from three of the cameras resulted in 796 fixed penalty notices being issued.

The Marefair junction camera will catch drivers who turn left despite signs telling them not to

As first reported by the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, a council report said the fifth device is expected to go live next month once legal formalities and testing are concluded.

It is located on the Marefair junction, where drivers are prohibited from turning left.

The Gold Street camera will catch people ignoring bus lane signs between Bridge Street and College Street

The final camera will help the council enforce a bus-only section of Gold Street, between College Street and Bridge Street.

The bus lane is already covered by existing regulations, so there will be no six-month warning period.

Once the camera is switched on, probably in late October, fixed penalty notices can be issued immediately.

The council said it would publicise the fact that there would be no six-month warning period for motorists caught by the Gold Street camera.