Councils to be given new powers to use CCTV to crackdown on parking in mandatory cycle lanes
The government is giving councils the power to crackdown on the misuse of mandatory cycles lanes.
As part of plans to build a greener, more resilient transport network, local authorities in England will have new powers to use CCTV to issue penalty charge notices to drivers who park or load illegally in mandatory cycle lanes, putting cyclists at risk of accident.
The new laws will come into force from June 22, with approved camera devices making it easier for councils with civil parking enforcement powers to take action against illegally parked cars on mandatory cycle lanes.
The move comes as part of Bike Week, from June 6 to 14, which sees a range of organisations encouraging everyone to get pedalling to boost their fitness and protect the environment.
Cycling minister Chris Heaton-Harris MP said: “Across the country there has been a surge in the number of people dusting off their old bike from the back of the shed and cycling, or taking journeys on foot, to get from A to B.
“Giving local authorities more powers to stop cycle lanes from becoming blocked will make it safer for cyclists.
“These new measures also build on our recent £2bn investment to create a green, healthier legacy and see more people travelling by bicycle or on foot.”
There are two types of cycling lanes, mandatory and advisory.
A mandatory cycle lanes excludes all other vehicles for all, or part of, the day. It is demarcated by a single unbroken white line on the carriageway, and should be placed in conjunction with upright signs notifying other road users when it is in operation.
An advisory cycle lane is marked with a broken white line and without upright traffic signs. These may be used in situations where mandatory lanes would be too restrictive, typically where road width is restricted and motor vehicles might occasionally need to encroach on the lane.
The measure aims to get more cyclists on the roads, and follows the Transport Secretary's pledge of a £2billion for cycling and walking last month to help create a greener transport network, which £225 million for local authorities in England to create pop up cycle lanes with protected space for cycling, wider pavements, safer junctions, and bike and bus-only corridors.
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