Residents have described a town centre junction as 'dangerous' after drivers continue to ignore the no right turn signs. The ASDA access off the B6166 Portland Street in Newark has the no turn signs as well as 'ahead only' messages on the road, but numerous drivers ignore these warnings still attempt to turn right into the supermarket.
This often causes oncoming drivers to have to suddenly break, or causes traffic to queue through the set of traffic lights connecting to London Road and Lombard Street. Nottinghamshire County Council is planning to apply to the government for new powers so that it can enforce traffic moving offences at the site.
Currently only the police can enforce moving traffic offences, which include stopping in a yellow box junction and ignoring banned left or right turn signs. However, recent legislation changes mean that local authorities can apply to enforce these offences through the use of automatic number plate recognition cameras.
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Anyone caught carrying out an offence will receive a Penalty Charge Notices for moving traffic contraventions, which are set nationally at £70, with a 50% discount offered for payment within the first 14 days. Residents across the town feel that this would be a positive thing after regularly seeing the signs on Portland Street being ignored.
When told about the enforcement plans, retired Bob Haddon, 74, of Newark, said: "Well so it should be. The amount of people that come straight out of there or just turn across, it's terrible.
"There's no excuses for that. It's always been an issue there I believe."
A retired 75 year old, who did not wish to be named, described the turning as "a nightmare." When asked if he thought the enforcement was needed, he replied: " I think so, as it's dangerous.
"It makes it queue through the traffic lights and it all builds up. It's the same coming out of there, people still turn right when they are supposed to go left.
"We need something there. We see it all the time when we come this way, all the traffic builds up past the traffic lights."
Mum, Vikki Dawn, 28, of Newark, also feels enforcement would be good. She said: "Yeah because it's a pain in the bum.
"I think it's always been bad there. I think it should stay £70 fine rather than reduce it as it will help stop people from doing it."
A 66 year old woman from Balderton said: "I have noticed it yeah, I know people do that. I think fines are a good idea as it's dangerous for such a busy area.
"The other entrance can be difficult for people too." The County Council is also considering enforcement for the junction of Radcliffe Road and Trent Boulevard in West Bridgford.
Mark Walker, Service Director for Place at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Currently only Nottinghamshire Police can enforce moving traffic offences in Nottinghamshire, but the legislation change means that the county council could use these powers at identified sites. We are considering applying to the Department for Transport (DfT) for these powers because we recognise that despite clear signage, some restrictions on the road network are now being followed, which is resulting in safety concerns and congestion.
"Road safety remains a high priority for us at the county council and we want to do all we can to make Nottinghamshire highways as safe as possible for all road users. Evidence suggests that the use of ANPR cameras by other local authorities has been effective in ensuring compliance.
“We have chosen two locations in Nottinghamshire which are both congested and see a high number of contraventions each day, and motorists who ignore these restrictions are putting other road users in danger. We are keen to hear from as many people as possible about the potential enforcement at these sites and all responses will be considered by the county council before any application for these powers is made."
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