New camera will be turned on to catch illegal turns

A new traffic enforcement camera will be turned on to catch drivers making illegal left turns in a busy town centre.

The camera will go live on Monday at the top of Gold Street, Northampton, in an existing restricted zone.

West Northamptonshire Council said it was part of a phased scheme to improve pedestrian, cyclist and driver safety and to encourage better driver behaviour.

It came after another camera was turned on in April at the junction of Horseshoe Street and Gold Street.

First-time offenders will be issued with a statutory warning notice until January.

Other motorists who "flout the rules or ignore the no-entry signage" on the one-way street will be fined £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days, the council added.

The scheme aimed to "increase pedestrian, cyclist and driver safety in this area".

Reform UK councillor Richard Butler, the authority's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This new enforcement camera is an important step to improving road safety in the area.

"We hope that this will act as a deterrent to those who continuously ignore the rules and encourage people to drive in a safer manner."

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.