Google Street View – Image Date – November 2020
Introducing Traffic Enforcement Cameras in Hereford will be yet another ‘attack on the motorist’ says local councillor Jim Kenyon, with several councillors reportedly highlighting concerns, particularly over a new traffic enforcement camera that is set to issue fines to motorists that drive down East Street for reasons other than ‘access only’.
Your Herefordshire understands that in a recent trial of the new technology, thousands of motorists broke the rules on East Street alone in just one week and many of them would’ve been issued fines if the technology was live.
The new technology is expected to go live early in 2023.
Speaking in reference to new traffic enforcement cameras on East Street, Councillor Kenyon said:
“I outright do not agree with the enforcement measures. I would have been more inclined to ask why and when was the restriction put in. Was it anything to do with the ill-fated road reversal scheme? I would have it removed all together.
“As I understand there has been no accidents or deaths along this road so other than another cash cow for Herefordshire Council, I see it as another attack against motorists. I do not see the point.
“This will put even more vehicles onto an already congested highway in the centre of Hereford. It is ill thought through and brainless remember two wrongs do not make a right.”
In July 2020, the government announced plans to improve cycling and walking uptake in Gear change – a bold vision for cycling and walking.
As part of this strategy, the Department for Transport is changing the way moving traffic contraventions are enforced. Currently, only London and Welsh local authorities have powers to enforce these restrictions by the issue of a penalty charge notice.
The new regulations will be coming into effect in summer 2022, as a result, a number of new contraventions will become enforceable by councils rather than the police.
These new powers will enable enforcement of the following restrictions by camera:
One way streets
Banned turns
Pedestrian zones
No entries
Yellow boxed junctions
Cycle and bus routes
Restricted access/weight limits
Stopping on school keep clear markings
Herefordshire Council has indicated its intention to the Department for Transport to adopt these powers in order to promote a safe environment for all road users and to allow traffic to flow freely.
Based on previous complaints and travel data, we have identified a number of locations that may benefit from this type of enforcement.
You can view a map of the locations.
The locations are also listed in the following table:
| Location | Vehicle restriction type |
|---|---|
| A438 / A49 Junction (Steels), Hereford | Yellow box |
| A438 Eign Street / Aldi junction, Hereford | Yellow box |
| A49 Edgar Street / Tesco roundabout, Hereford | Yellow box |
| A49 Victoria Street / Barton Road, Hereford | Yellow box |
| Bewell Street, Hereford | No entry except access |
| Blueschool Street / Widemarsh Street, Hereford | No entry except access |
| Blueschool Street, Hereford | Yellow box |
| Broad Street, Hereford | One way |
| City Link Road / Widemarsh Street, Hereford | Banned turns |
| Commercial Road / Stonebow Road, Hereford | Yellow box |
| Commercial Road / Union Walk, Hereford | Yellow box |
| Commercial Square (outside The Kerry), Hereford | Yellow box |
| East Street, Hereford | No entry except access |
| High Town (St Peters), Hereford | No entry except access |
| Holme Lacy Road (Near Goodwin Way) | Weight restriction |
| Offa Street | One way |
| Prior Street | No entry / one way |
| Springfield Avenue / Hunderton Avenue) | Contravention of no entry / one way |
| Widemarsh / Conningsby Street | Yellow box |
| Ginhall Lane / Green Lane, Leominster | Banned turn |
| C1259 from A40, Goodrich | 7.5t weight limit |
| Knapp Lane, Ledbury | 3.5t weight limit |
| Town centre (various streets), Bromyard | 7.5t weight limit |
| All schools | Yellow no stopping zig zags |
