Wiltshire Council aim to improve road safety with ANPR technology
Two of the suggested sites are in Salisbury
Last updated 3rd Oct 2023
Wiltshire Council is applying for new powers to make roads in the county safer through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.
As it stands, moving traffic offences can only be enforced by Wiltshire Police, which is the common practice in most Local Authorities outside London.
A moving traffic offence includes driving the wrong way down a one-way street, driving through a No Entry sign, or turning left or right where it is not permitted.
But, Wiltshire Council has applied for these power from the Department for Transport (DfT).
After a consultation in May and June, which focussed on installing ANPR technology at six sites in the county, the council received helpful comments about the sites and other sites to consider.
Two of the suggested sites are in Salisbury, on Hollows Road and Saxon Road.
If successful with it’s application for the new powers, further public engagement will be carried out with people who could be directly affected by proposals at each site.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said most people supported the move for the new powers.
“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.”
If the council is successful, the following restrictions could come into effect:
• Hollows Close in Salisbury, prohibition of vehicles, Monday-Friday, 7.30am-9.30am and 2pm-6pm, except permit holders.
• Saxon Road in Salisbury, prohibition of vehicles, Monday-Friday, except permit holders.