Over 1,000 drivers have been issued warnings for breaking new traffic rules in place across a major city by a Labour-run council.
Southampton City Council revealed that in the first 10 days of its new traffic measures being live, more than 1,000 drivers were sent warning notices ahead of the official fines coming in on Monday, February 24.
The warnings were handed out to drivers who breached the Active Travel Zone which imposed restrictions on drivers entering a certain area of the busy high street.
Before the fines came into effect, drivers were given warnings to get used to the new enforcement cameras and restricted routes on a section of Portswood Road in Southampton.
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Drivers who breach the restrictions can be fined £70 by the council
SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL
The restrictions have been put in place to improve air pollution in the area as well as promote the use of public transport, walking and cycling.
As part of the restrictions, the route only allows buses, taxis and bicycles, Monday to Saturday between the hours of 7am and 10am and again between 4pm and 7pm. While warning letters are currently being sent out to rulebreakers, from next week, drivers can be fined £70 although this can be reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.
Councillor Eamon Keogh said: "There are a number of goals that we are trying to achieve as part of the Portswood Project trial and a key factor in many of them is ensuring that vehicles travelling from further afield to the city centre use Thomas Lewis Way for their journey.
"We do appreciate that it takes time for people to get used to changes like the ones being trialled in Portswood and so we have allowed two weeks for drivers to adjust to the new restriction without taking any further action."
He recently detailed how the restrictions have led to "improvements" in congestion and the number of pedestrians walking in the area.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Keogh shared: "Bus journey times during [the restricted hours] are improving, and pedestrian footfall on the High Street has risen compared to... a year ago.
"That's got to be good for businesses and for people who want to enjoy a safe, accessible and practical district centre."
Last week, reports suggested that while the warning period remains in place, drivers have resorted to ignoring the restrictions altogether.
Keogh acknowledged that there were "still concerns" from residents and drivers about the scheme but noted that it is the nature of trials like this.
"There will be concerns, but I think there has been an improvement [in] drivers understanding the restrictions... on Brookvale Road," he stated.
He noted that despite negative feedback, the council is seeing "continuous improvements, albeit there will still be concerns about how some drivers are travelling in that area".
The bus gate and active travel area will both be in place for a minimum of six months to assess the potential impact with the council stating that money received from Penalty Charge Notices will be used to pay to keep the scheme running.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The trial restricts drivers from entering the section of the high street between certain hours of the day
SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL
Having received concerns from local residents, the council made adjustments to parking on Brookvale Road near the junction with Highfield Lane to help ease congestion and improve road safety.
The council added: "Our experience with other schemes that introduced a restriction shows that compliance improves with camera enforcement. This change is crucial to ensure the robustness of the trial and to support the goals of improving bus journeys as well as safety on Portswood Road."
