Crackdown on Stafford drivers taking illegal town centre shortcut
Drivers who flout the law have been slapped with fines amid a crackdown ahead of a camera being installed at a busy junction.
An enforcement camera will be installed on South Walls from the roundabout at the junction of Greengate Street and Mill Bank in Stafford town centre to snare motorists who take illegal short cuts.
It comes after cars, motorbikes and private hire taxis continuously ignore road signs from the roundabout at the junction of Greengate Street and Mill Bank which should only be used by buses, Hackney cab taxis and cyclists.
The camera will also catch all vehicles travelling west along South Walls that ignore the ‘no entry’ signs at the junction with Greengate Walk and continue to the Greengate Street and Mill Bank roundabout.
It is set to be operational from November 12 and in the meantime police have been issuing fines to drivers who break the law by cutting through.
Chief Inspector Gemma Ward, Commander for Stafford Borough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are committed to working with local authorities and Highways to ensure that Stafford town centre is safe for all pedestrians and road users.
“We have taken action when drivers have contravened the restrictions that are in place for road safety reasons and we welcome the installation of the camera to tackle this repeat problem with the help of technology.”
Drivers caught breaking the law will be fined £60 reduced to £30 if paid within 28 days.
Helen Fisher, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “The success of the Riverside shops means there are far more pedestrians in that part of Stafford, so it’s important for their safety that drivers stick to the rules.
“For too long too many drivers have been ignoring signs and cutting through, creating more traffic than there should be.
“We’ve improved signs at either end of this section and I hope drivers will take notice, rather than be fined for ignoring them."
County Councillor for Stafford, Maureen Compton, has expressed concerns about safety until the camera is operational, which is set to be on November 12.
She said: “We have got to really think about safety, that is the most important thing.
“You have got traffic coming around the corner which may pose a danger for people crossing the road or cyclists.
“There are signs that are in place and they are clear to drivers but if they keep ignoring them and the police feel it is a problem, I think we should be guided by what they say. They are the experts afterall.
“Anything that makes it safer, I am in favour of. We have to keep everything safe for cyclists and pedestrians.”
Traffic approaching the junction from Greengate Street and Mill Bank that isn’t allowed on to South Walls has been advised to head south on to Bridge Street.
If Bridge Street is closed to traffic at night due to the number of pedestrians using the pubs and restaurants there, vehicles should leave the roundabout along Mill Bank.
Traffic approaching the junction from the Riverside shops has been advised to turn right into Greengate Walk, right again into Tipping Street and follow the one-way system.
