Cabinet to consider new traffic enforcement sites

Ten new locations across West Northamptonshire have been identified for traffic enforcement as part of the council’s ongoing work to improve road safety and keep traffic moving.

08 September 2026

A report setting out the next phase of the programme will be considered by Cabinet on Tuesday 15 September.

The proposals follow the success of current enforcement activity at a handful of sites across West Northamptonshire.

Figures show that more than 80 per cent of motorists receiving a penalty charge notice (PCN) from current enforcement have avoided further breaches.

The sites were identified following detailed assessment work and a public consultation carried out in December 2025, with input from partners including emergency services, bus operators and road safety teams. They are:

Banned turns 

• Upton Valley Way East junction with Banbury Lane
• Collingwood Road, junction with St Matthew’s Parade
• Abington Square, right turn onto Wellingborough Road side, near Charles Bradlaugh statue

Yellow box junctions 

• St Peter’s Way, junction with Weston Wharf
• Cliftonville Road, at the entrance to the hospital
• Harborough Road, two sites (Cock Hotel junction and junction with the A5095)
• Weedon Road, junction with Spencer Bridge Road
• Mere Way, opposite the fire station and at the Wootton Hall Park junction

No entry/one-way streets 

• St Giles’ Square, between Wood Hill and Derngate

These locations have been selected because of ongoing issues with drivers ignoring restrictions, which can lead to congestion, delays and safety concerns, particularly at busy times of day.

Thirteen locations were originally considered as part of this phase. Following consultation and further review, three sites will not be taken forward at this stage.

These locations were ruled out because they were not considered suitable for enforcement, for example where there is not enough evidence of repeated breaches or where there are physical or technical difficulties.

Councillor Richard Butler, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “People expect our roads to be safe and to work properly.

“When drivers ignore restrictions, it can cause congestion, delay emergency services and put other road users at risk.

“We have carefully reviewed each of these locations and focused on the places where enforcement will make the biggest difference.

“We will take a fair and balanced approach, starting with warning notices so drivers have time to adjust.

“This is about improving behaviour and keeping traffic moving, and our current enforcement does suggest most drivers are responding positively.”

If Cabinet approves the plan, the Council will prepare the additional sites for enforcement to begin later in the year.

Enforcement is carried out using Automative Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). Each contravention is checked by a person before a decision is made over whether to issue a PCN.

For the first six months drivers committing a first offence will receive a warning notice rather than a penalty charge notice.

A change in the law in 2022 gave councils outside London new powers to deal with offences such as banned turns and yellow box junctions.

West Northamptonshire Council received these powers in 2023 and brought in its first five sites in 2024.

PCNs cover the costs of the service such as enforcement, equipment, software systems, staff, supplies and services. Any surplus is used to improve public transport, highway projects and environmental improvements in accordance with Government regulations.