MOTORISTS could soon be hit with £60 fines for driving in a Winchester bus lane, as the council moves to crackdown on the behaviour with a new camera.

Hampshire County Council is considering introducing the enforcement camera to help snare drivers who are failing to heed current road markings in the city.

The authority is seeking approval to introduce the licence plate recognition technology, which could be fixed or mobile, as part of a move for greater powers made available by central government which would allow it to fine motorists who ignore bus gate restrictions in Station Hill.

The road is one of 10 identified across the county in areas including Eastleigh, Fareham and the New Forest which have been selected due to their high number of recorded collisions that have resulted in an injury, historical reports of poor compliance to rules, and the potential for traffic congestion and delays.

If successful, the county council will have the means to punish motorists who continue to break certain types of moving traffic restrictions in each of the chosen spots.

Councillor Rob Humby, deputy leader and executive lead member for economy, transport and environment, said: “The locations identified are those where there is evidence the restrictions such as banned turns, ignoring yellow box markings at junctions and parking on school ‘Keep Clear’ markings are frequently being ignored. Central government is making it possible for highways authorities to take on the responsibility for certain types of enforcement with the police continuing enforcement of others.

“Having the powers to enforce moving traffic restrictions will give us the ability to improve highway safety and help to reduce congestion on Hampshire’s roads. Over time, we should see better compliance with the restrictions with fewer and fewer contraventions, as a result. It is expected that the costs of setting up and running enforcement arrangements will be offset by the revenue raised, while better compliance will reduce the requirements for further spending on overall traffic management.”

The cost of the cameras and the associated works and infrastructure is expected to be in the region of £30,000 per enforcement site, with additional annual revenue costs to operate and maintain the equipment estimated to be in the region of £5,000.

Fines for moving traffic violations are likely to be set at £60 within the new regulations with a reduction to £30 if paid within 14 days.

The council is set to be one of several highways authorities which will be making an application for the powers under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

Prior to formally applying for the powers, it must carry out a public consultation detailing a list of potential sites where the powers would be applied.

The following locations have been proposed:

Basingstoke and Deane

• Alencon Link, Basingstoke – Prohibition of Driving (with an exception for buses)

• Norn Hill, Basingstoke – Bus Gate

Eastleigh

• Leigh Road junction with M3 Southbound Slip Road, Eastleigh – Yellow Box Marking

Fareham

• White Hart Lane, Portchester Community School, Fareham – School Keep Clear Marking

Havant

• Waterlooville Precinct, Waterlooville – Prohibition of Driving and Pedestrian Zone (except for buses and loading/unloading)

• Hart Plain Avenue – School Keep Clear Markings

New Forest

• Staplewood Lane junction with A326 Marchwood By-pass – Prohibition of Right Turn

Rushmoor

• A325 Farnborough Road, junction with Empress Avenue/Napoleon Avenue, Farnborough– Prohibition of Right Turn

Test Valley

• A3057 Alma Road, Romsey (outside fire station) – Yellow Box Marking

Winchester

• Station Hill, Winchester – Bus Gate

The six-week consultation is open until midnight on March 27, 2022.

You can respond to the consultation at: hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/traffic-enforcement-consultation