STEPPING UP FIGHT AGAINST UNLAWFUL DRIVERS

Bedford Borough Council has announced new measures to target unlawful motorists in Bedford Borough.

The Council has approved the purchase of a static camera which can be used to monitor vehicles using bus lanes as well as a mobile CCTV camera which will be mounted on an existing Council vehicle. This follows the success of the Council's first CCTV vehicle which has shown itself to be effective in tackling school time parking and double yellow line abuse.

Bedford Borough Council takes its responsibility of protecting all road users extremely seriously and these new measures will help to enforce road and traffic regulations by catching more motorists who flout the law and endanger the safety of others.

Councillor Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Transport, said: "We introduced mobile CCTV coverage to Bedford Borough following requests from parents, schools and the Police to do more to stop unlawful parking across Bedford Borough, especially outside schools.

"A mobile CCTV system allows us to effectively and efficiently enforce parking regulations throughout the borough in order to protect all road users. Introducing a second CCTV vehicle will enable our enforcement officers to have a greater presence outside schools during the peak morning and afternoon periods as well as enforcing other parking regulations at bus stops, zig-zag zones, areas with loading bans and verges to improve road safety for all users.

"The introduction of a single static camera to monitor bus lanes will also protect road users and improve congestion by ensuring only correct vehicles are able to use the bus lanes in and around the town centre."