Road cameras planned around Trafford Centre in major crackdown

Trafford council is looking to step up enforcement action in the area to improve safety and ease congestion. Its focus is on yellow box junction offences at six key sites, including around the borough’s largest shopping centre.

These sites have been chosen following a ‘compliance’ check, with a council spokeswoman telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service the authority had carried out seven days of site surveys at ‘known locations of non-compliance’. The results of these, alongside stakeholder feedback, were used to determine which junctions should be considered for enforcement measures.

The spokeswoman added: “Drivers must not enter a box junction unless the exit or lane is clear. The higher the number of contraventions, the more likely traffic queues will grow, and signal cycles become less effective. The impacts can spread more widely, around the junction, impacting all road users, including the emergency services.

“Trafford, like other councils, has limited resources available (such as cameras and processing capacity) and contravention counts are ranked to make sure that any interventions are put in place where they are most needed. We know that enforcement has improved compliance significantly, where we currently have cameras.”

Drivers must not enter a yellow box junction unless the lane or exit ahead is completely clear and they can pass through without stopping. The crackdown would see new fixed cameras operating 24/7 basis, and anyone flouting the rules would face a fine. A full list of the proposed locations for additional enforcement can be found below.

Currently, there are just two such cameras in Trafford – at the White City Circle roundabout and at Junction 7 of the M60. A third, mobile camera also covers ‘trouble spots’, Trafford council said.

The authority is now seeking public opinions on its plans to widen enforcement measures in Trafford. A consultation on the scheme will run until Tuesday, April 21.

Money raised through fines are kept by the council, and will be spent on recouping enforcement costs, or on public transport provision, highway projects or local environmental improvements.

Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s executive member for highways, environmental and traded services, said: “We want to use this enforcement action to deter rule breaking and improve safety and traffic flow for all road users. Before we finalise the plans we want to gather as many views as possible. 

“We are keen to hear from people who have alternative ideas or suggestions on how to reduce congestion and improve road safety on Trafford’s network.”

Locations being considered for enforcement cameras are:

B5214 Trafford Boulevard / Redclyffe Circle / M60 Manchester Outer Ring Road off slip road

Redclyffe Circle/M60 Manchester Outer Ring Road off slip road / B5214 Barton Road

B95214 Trafford Boulevard / car park access

Trafford Way / Bridgewater Circle / B5214 Trafford Boulevard

Bridgewater Circle / Unnamed Road / B5214 Trafford Boulevard

White City Circle – Trafford Rd (A5603) intersection toward Chester Road.