Unattended camera enforcement

Unacceptable reasons for challenging a PCN include:

• I don’t know the area / I was lost – drivers are expected to be familiar with the Highway Code and should always abide by it, regardless of the location.
• I was following my Sat Nav – again, it's the driver's responsibility to follow the Highway Code. Drivers should rely on signage and road markings. Where restrictions are in force, they are always clearly marked.
• I didn’t cause a problem – the Highway Authority makes decisions on what restriction should be in place. Drivers can't choose whether to abide by the restriction based on their own opinion of the impact their driving has.
• I didn't know camera enforcement was taking place – there are always clear signs showing where restrictions are in place.
• My vehicle is registered outside the UK – they are also subject to these penalties, including HGVs.

Yellow box junction on Adderley Road and junction with A1250 The Causeway, Bishop's Stortford.

Bus gate on Ashdown road / junction Hertford Road  Stevenage  is now enforced by an unattended camera. 

Bus gates on Albatross Way and College Lane, Hatfield (University of Hertfordshire campuses). Rising bollards to be replaced with cameras.

Existing bus gate on Woodmere Avenue (adjacent to width restriction) is now enforced by an unattended camera. 

On 22 July 2023, we received powers to enforce moving traffic offences. We're using the powers of Part 6 of The Traffic Management Act 2004 to:

• ensure efficient movement of traffic, including those walking, cycling and using buses
• improve road safety
• improve the local environment, especially carbon reduction
• improve the quality and accessibility of passenger transport
• manage the competing demands for road space.

Enforcement helps most road users, who respect the restrictions, see fairness and justice applied.

Drivers will receive a warning notice the first time they contravene a restriction, within the first 6 months of operation.

They will then be issued with a PCN if they offend again.

All offenders will get a PCN after the first 6 months grace period.

Yellow box junctions

Rule 174 of the Highway Code says:

"You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right. At signalled roundabouts you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping."

We'll issue a PCN if you are not using an exempted vehicle and you contravene this rule.

We may use our discretion if the contravention is very minor and has not adversely affected the operation of the junction. If you receive PCN for contravening a yellow box junction, we will already have made the decision that we will not be exercising discretion.

The visibility at yellow box junctions is checked before any camera enforcement scheme is introduced to ensure that exits can be seen by drivers.

If there is a temporary blockage to visibility, you should not enter the box junction.

The cameras have the capability to demonstrate whether a box junction was inoperable due to a lack of exit visibility at any time an offence is detected.

Bus lanes

All buses with more than 8 passenger seats are permitted to use the bus-only lanes, together with cycles, emergency vehicles and approved maintenance vehicles.

We aim to:

• improve safety, tackle congestion and make public transport and emergency services more efficient
• help Hertfordshire Police to focus on other policing priorities, instead of traffic offences. 

How we'll use the money from PCNs

The income from PCNs pays for the cost of the enforcement process, maintenance of signs and lines and other associated costs. The aim of the enforcement activity is to support our Local Transport Plan, rather than generate profit. 

We'll use any money left over after paying costs for highway improvement projects, in line with strict government guidance.

We hope the number of penalty charge notices will fall as compliance improves.

When we received these legal powers

• September 2022 – early discussions at our Highways and Transport Cabinet Panel.
• October 2022 – first public engagement exercise around camera enforcement on Adderley Road, Bishop's Stortford
• End of 2022 – officially applied for legal powers.
• July 2023 – received legal powers.

Our approach to enforcement of moving traffic contraventions 2023-28 (PDF, 1.3MB)

We will take a consistent and measured approach to enforcement, using cameras at sites where it has been identified there is an absolute need. 

There will be a robust decision-making process in place to ensure that each site is chosen on the merits of how it will improve the area if traffic contraventions are enforced. For example, this could be judged on the crash record at a junction with the aim of reducing crashes or at proven congested areas resulting in a positive impact on the efficiency of the bus network and emergency services on Hertfordshire’s roads.

Each site to be enforced by us must help achieve at least one of the following objectives:

• improve road safety
• tackle network congestion  
• increase public transport reliability
• improve air quality
• increase lifespan of highway assets.