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Cameras will finally enforce city car ban
8:43am Monday 5th February 2007
Comments (32)Drivers flouting traffic restrictions in Oxford's historic High Street will be fined £60 when new spy cameras 'go live' this month.
The cameras - first promised six years ago - will catch drivers who ignore the daily ban on city centre traffic between 7.30am and 6.30pm by recording the registration numbers of outlawed vehicles.
Fixed penalties will start to be imposed when the system goes live on Monday, February 26.
Bus gate restriction points were introduced in city centre locations when the Oxford Transport Strategy was launched in 1999, and only buses, taxis and licensed private hire vehicles are allowed through during the day. But drivers have been given a free rein to ignore the ban - because a legal loophole meant no-one could be prosecuted using CCTV footage.
A recent change in legislation has now made enforcement possible for the first time.
Steve Howell, head of transport at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "It's great news the cameras are finally going live as we have been concerned about the increasing numbers of people abusing the restrictions.
"We are confident the cameras will provide an effective way of deterring offenders, which will help decrease journey times for bus passengers and improve the city centre environment for everyone."
A survey carried out by the Oxford Mail last year showed 200 drivers an hour flouted the ban.
The amount of private traffic still using High Street during the day was cited as one of the reasons buses ran late.
The bus gates in Castle Street, George Street and Magdalen Street will also be monitored by CCTV.
In the run-up, police will be increasing their presence at the four restricted points.
As with ordinary parking fines, the £60 penalties will be reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
Carfax city councillor Paul Sargent said: "It's a problem because during the daytime, vans, trucks and cars in the High Street just add to the problem of congestion.
"Six years ago, we were promised less congestion and, with it, the tools for congestion management - this is long overdue.
"We have high levels of pollution in the city centre. Any reduction in traffic is going to help reduce harmful pollution. And if you have got restricted areas, it's safer for pedestrians.
"If you want a society where people police themselves, you are living in cloud cuckoo land - you need some stick.
"As soon as a few people have had fines and word gets around, then people will stop doing it and then it polices itself.
"If people are foolish enough to keep doing it, then they are going to get fined."
Oxford Bus Company director Louisa Weeks said: "We're delighted that the cameras are now ready for use. The delay has been difficult for everyone.
"We've found it frustrating to watch the vehicles that are banned from the High Street flouting the laws and undoing our environmental work."
Chris Child, a spokesman for Stagecoach buses in Oxford, said: "We welcome the introduction of new cameras.
"This should go a long way to enforcing the legal restrictions along the High Street, improving bus access and reducing con- gestion."
Your Say YourOxford Mail
George, says...
9:59am Mon 5 Feb 07
James Dore, says...
10:00am Mon 5 Feb 07
"Public" does not equal "unrestricted use" - How can it be illegal to use a public road - good grief.....
Sarah Boada-Momtahan, Oxford says...
10:41am Mon 5 Feb 07
George, says...
10:51am Mon 5 Feb 07
James Dore wrote:The issue isn't about MOT or Tax - it about preventing poeple who fund rhe highways from using those highways. Just because you choose to be obtuse does not make your point any more valid. So the County Council now has power introduce legislation? This was a change in the law, effected by parliament. Good grief....
Um, because of the legislation that went through the County Council in order to make the restriction? Just as it's also illegal to use a motor vehicle on a public road without a valid tax disc and MOT. "Public" does not equal "unrestricted use" - How can it be illegal to use a public road - good grief.....
James Dore, says...
12:01pm Mon 5 Feb 07
My point is that /all/ road use is subject to some form of legislation and restriction: I was using MOT and Tax as an analogy but maybe that was too subtle for you. Yes, we fund the highways (in part) but that does not mean we have unrestricted use of them, or even the right to use them per se. Indeed, it's the other way round: In order to use a vehichle on the roads, we need to submit to certain conditions - road tax being one, a valid licence for the vehicle we're operating anoter, and a roadworhty vehicle being a third. The only people with the right to use the public highway without all that are pedestrians - who aren't going to be limited by the cameras - and even they are subject to some regulation. The rules are there, they're clearly signposted, and they've been known about for six years. That's plenty of time for them to be opposed or modified, or complained about to the right people, surely?
Paul, Witney says...
12:14pm Mon 5 Feb 07
Maybe they should put the same sort of effort in to getting sll the uninsured drivers off the road.
Oh no - that would mean actually doing something which isn't just whacking a fine on us.
Congratulations to the council for finding something else to fill your wage packets you get for sitting on your arses and doing absolutely nothing!
Joey, oxford says...
12:15pm Mon 5 Feb 07
George, says...
12:17pm Mon 5 Feb 07
Tony Brett, Oxford says...
12:17pm Mon 5 Feb 07
James Dore, says...
12:33pm Mon 5 Feb 07
C, Oxford says...
12:50pm Mon 5 Feb 07
George, says...
1:46pm Mon 5 Feb 07
JD - please indicate where previous comments complain about being caught on camera(s) or show any willingness to break any law.
James Dore, says...
2:06pm Mon 5 Feb 07
George wrote:George - you're quite right, none of your comments include any of those things. But your original complaint "how can it be illegal to use a public road?" isn't valid either - nowhere in the article does it say it's illegal to use the public road. It's going to be more tightly restricted certainly, but your original comment read as from someone who thinks they're having non-existant "rights" curtailed.
TB - that might be the case but this legislation is not a byelaw
JD - please indicate where previous comments complain about being caught on camera(s) or show any willingness to break any law.
George, says...
3:00pm Mon 5 Feb 07
So it isn't law, just a restriction? Non-existent rights?
Mark, Oxford says...
3:42pm Mon 5 Feb 07
The fact is that the Highways act gives county councils the power to introduce this kind of restriction. And so disregarding the restriction would be an illegal act.
George, says...
4:04pm Mon 5 Feb 07
Phil, Oxford says...
4:25pm Mon 5 Feb 07
There is just no way that the volume of people travelling through High street could be accommodated in private vehicles during peak times. This is why you are not allowed to drive. George I assume that you are only used to travelling by your car - I suggest you address this dependency as it does not do you, or anyone any good.
George, says...
4:39pm Mon 5 Feb 07
Phil, Oxford says...
5:22pm Mon 5 Feb 07
But my point was that the status of Cornmarket Street has changed from allowing private vehicles to not allowing private vehicles. The Status of High Street has also changed. There are many presidents for changing the status of roads.
Oh, and to answer your first question Im sure its not illegal for the public to use High Street.
George, says...
5:33pm Mon 5 Feb 07
Phil wrote:The subject relates to motorised traffic using the road. Can't comment on presidents in favour of changing roads.
George, Yes I should not make assumptions. But my point was that the status of Cornmarket Street has changed from allowing private vehicles to not allowing private vehicles. The Status of High Street has also changed. There are many presidents for changing the status of roads. Oh, and to answer your first question Im sure its not illegal for the public to use High Street.
Anthony, Oxford says...
6:12pm Mon 5 Feb 07
George, says...
6:17pm Mon 5 Feb 07
Anthony wrote:Please show me any comments where I say the law can not be enforced.
George, the fact is you are wrong - the law IS in place and can be enforced. If in doubt, try driving down the road on Feb 26th. If you don't like it (and you are fully within your rights to do so), I suggest you stand for office on this platform and try to get elected. Good luck!
Anthony, Oxford says...
6:22pm Mon 5 Feb 07
You have been informed several times how this is possible. Do not waste everyone's time on this forum by playing silly word-games.
I expect this level of comment is why you "have previously raised concerns re this matter but have recived no replies from any authority".
George, says...
7:59pm Mon 5 Feb 07
Anthony wrote:Silly word games? I asked you a question you can not answer, that is your limitation not mine.
George, your first comment is "how can it be illegal to use a public road?" You have been informed several times how this is possible. Do not waste everyone's time on this forum by playing silly word-games. I expect this level of comment is why you "have previously raised concerns re this matter but have recived no replies from any authority".
Ed, Oxford says...
10:19pm Mon 5 Feb 07
We need to remove ALL traffic from the High St and St Aldates. This historic city cannot take the traffic it already has. Bite the bullet and get trams like Nottingham!!!
Hon T., philippines says...
10:22am Tue 6 Feb 07
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Bob Smith, says...
7:00pm Mon 12 Feb 07
Just another ploy by the council to get more money out of us.Well, it's been bus only for years, and as long as your not stupid enought to go through it, you won't get fined
Bob Smith, says...
7:01pm Mon 12 Feb 07
Joey wrote:Who cares about motobikes going through, it's not going to cuase traffic congestion
Well i have used it for years on my motorbike and never in my car, so thank god i own a flip up plate so they wont see my reg number as i nip through = )
Bob Smith, says...
1:53pm Wed 14 Feb 07
Ed wrote:Yes, but about 3000 cars went through it a day so it would cut pollution by half, if not more.
I welcome the cameras but saying they are going to reduce pollution with nearly 3000 buses a day going up the High St is a nonsense as Paul Sargent well knows. We need to remove ALL traffic from the High St and St Aldates. This historic city cannot take the traffic it already has. Bite the bullet and get trams like Nottingham!!!
Richard, Swindon says...
7:38pm Thu 15 Feb 07
nicky F1, oxford says...
6:57pm Mon 8 Oct 07
Time to remove Keith Mitchell and his Tory friends from power. Beat the bus gate with the Bill of Rights Act 1689.
City councillor Paul Sargent in the High Street with the new camera in the background
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Steven, says...
9:58am Mon 5 Feb 07