CAMERAS could be installed in Salisbury streets to catch drivers who go the wrong way down one-way streets, run through no-entry signs, ignore weight limits or turn where it is not permitted.

Wiltshire Council is applying for new powers to enforce traffic offences – and wants to install automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at six locations across the county.

Currently, ‘moving traffic offences’ are only enforceable by the police in Wiltshire, as is the case in most other local authorities outside London.

But the council has now applied to the Department for Transport (DfT) for these powers and it expects to receive a decision in spring 2024.

Offences include:
* going the wrong way down a one-way street
* driving through a No Entry sign
* ignoring a weight limit
* or turning left or right where it is not permitted.

A consultation held in May and June focused on installing ANPR technology at an initial six sites around the county.

They are:
• Castle Street and Market Street in Trowbridge, no left-hand turn except for buses, taxis and cyclists.
• Town Bridge in Bradford on Avon, 18-tonne weight limit.
• Roundstone Street in Trowbridge, no entry except for buses, taxis and cyclists.
• Hollows Close in Salisbury, prohibition of vehicles, Monday-Friday, 7.30am-9.30am and 2pm-6pm, except permit holders.
• Market Street in Bradford on Avon, yellow box marking.
• Saxon Road in Salisbury, prohibition of vehicles, Monday-Friday, except permit holders.

Saxon Road in Salisbury could also see cameras installed. Picture: Google

If the council is successful in securing the new powers, a spokesperson said it will carry out further engagement with those people who may be directly affected by the initial site proposals.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport, said: “We had almost 600 responses to our moving traffic enforcement consultation, with most people supporting the move to apply for these powers and the initial six sites identified.

“Following this feedback, we applied to DfT for these powers, and we expect to hear back in spring next year.

“The consultation process generated local feedback on the sites and helped us to confirm whether the six were appropriate, along with what further engagement and potential adjustments might be required to ensure we get the implementation right.

“We have committed to having safer roads in our Business Plan, and these moving traffic offences put all road users at risk, particularly pedestrians. To help keep people safe on our roads, we expect to have the ANPR technology in place during next summer.”

Any future sites around the county identified as being suitable for enforcement will be subject to a full six-week public consultation process.