Moving traffic enforcement is a way of managing moving traffic behaviours by issuing penalty charge notices (PCNs) for motorists that breach restrictions using Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras (ANPR) that are in place such as contravening banned left or right turns, entry to a pedestrian zone and ignoring a weight limit etc.
Previously, under criminal law, enforcement of Moving Traffic Offences could only be carried out by the Police. However, under the Traffic Management Act (2004), local authorities outside London can apply for the powers from the Department of Transport so that they have the authority to do this directly.
Enforcement locations
Wigan Council was granted authority to enforce against motorists who commit Moving Traffic Offences by Central Government in July 2023. These powers were initially granted to enforce against four locations where we know there are real issues with how people are driving and we undertook a six week consultation on. The four locations are known to experience a high level of contravention. These locations are as follows;
- Market Street, Atherton – There is a prohibition of driving except for buses Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 4.00pm traffic regulation order (TRO) in place for road safety reasons to protect pedestrians from motor vehicles, to reduce delays to buses and to enable passengers to get on and off buses very close to the shops. This TRO is regularly abused which causes pedestrian safety concerns.
- Enforcement date is not yet confirmed.
- Winwick Lane, Lowton - There is a 7.5 tonnes southbound weight limit TRO in place to help mitigate the impacts of the HGV’s and to try and improve the air quality in this area. This TRO is regularly contravened, and the area is suffering from poor air quality.
- Enforcement will begin at this location on 25th November 2024.
- King Street, Wigan - There is a no left turn, except buses, taxis and cyclists onto Wallgate TRO in place to prevent through traffic, maintain road safety and enable active travel in Wigan town centre. This TRO is regularly abused which causes pedestrian safety concerns.
- Enforcement will begin at this location on 13th January 2025.
- Bradshawgate, Leigh - There is a prohibition of driving Monday to Sunday 10.30am to 4.00pm TRO in place for road safety reasons to protect pedestrians from motor vehicles. This TRO is regularly abused which causes pedestrian safety concerns.
- Enforcement will begin at this location on 13th January 2025.
- Windermere Road, Leigh - School Street Scheme - Prohibition of driving from its junction with Gordon Street to its junction with Grasmere Street Monday to Friday 8:15am to 9:15am and 3pm to 4pm. Glebe Street, Leigh - prohibition of driving from its junction with Prescott Street to its junction with Windermere Road Monday to Friday 8:15am to 9:15am and 3pm to 4pm. This TRO is abused which causes pedestrian safety concerns.
- Enforcement date is not yet confirmed
Key Benefits
In England and Wales, moving traffic offences are defined in law in Schedule 7 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (as amended) (external link).
In terms of Wigan borough, the key benefits of acquiring these moving traffic enforcement powers includes:
- Improved pedestrian and cyclist safety
- Reduced network congestion
- Improved journey times for public transport
- Improved air quality, reduction in transport related emissions contributing to carbon net zero targets.
Consequences of ignoring the rules
If you contravene the rules at the above locations, you may receive a fine also known as a penalty charge notice (PCN).
A PCN charge is £70. However if you pay within 21 days of the date of the notice, the charge will be reduced to £35.
If you don’t pay within 28 days, it will go up to £105.
To pay a PCN, please visit Parking fines.
Consultation on further enforcement locations
While we are planning to enforce the locations detailed above we are now consulting on further locations where there are issues with how people are driving. The locations that we plan to enforce in the future and we want your views on are as follows:
- Market Street, Standish - There is no left turn onto High Street TRO in place to maintain road safety. This TRO is abused by some drivers which causes pedestrian safety concerns
- Preston Road, Standish - There is no left turn onto Market Street TRO in place to maintain road safety. This TRO is abused by some drivers which causes pedestrian safety concerns
- High Street, Standish - There is no right turn onto Market Street TRO in place to maintain road safety. This TRO is abused by some drivers which causes pedestrian safety concerns
- Swan Lane, Hindley Green - There is a 7.5 tonnes weight limit TRO in place to prevent large vehicles travelling along this residential road. This TRO is regularly contravened, which is causing road safety concerns.
How to have your say
We are inviting local residents and businesses to give us their views on the use of the powers at the locations above. However, anyone is welcome to respond to this consultation and share their views.
How to respond to the consultation
You can have your say by emailing networkmanagement@wigan.gov.uk or writing to Wigan Council Network Management Group, Wigan Life Centre (South site), College Avenue, Wigan WN1 1NJ by Sunday 23rd February 2025.
What happens next
We will use feedback from this consultation so that your views can be used to shape the decisions about whether to proceed with the enforcement of these further existing moving traffic offences.
Further updates will be provided on our webpages.