Motorists in Bradford city centre could soon face fines by post if they are caught ignoring no-turn signs or blocking box junctions, as part of a new camera enforcement pilot scheme.
Bradford Council has approved plans to install enforcement cameras at two high-risk sites in the city centre, with 11 more locations set to follow across the district over the next two years.
The pilot scheme will target drivers who:
- Turn right illegally from Shipley Airedale Road onto Leeds Road.
- Stop in the box junction at Sunbridge Road and Godwin Street.
Both locations have been identified as hotspots for dangerous driving, and council bosses say the move is designed to improve road safety and ease congestion.
The pilot is just the start of a wider clampdown.
- Seven additional camera sites are expected to go live next year.
- Four more will follow the year after, bringing the total to 13 across the district.
Enforcement at the first two city centre sites is expected to begin later this year, with the box junction markings at Sunbridge Road/Godwin Street set to be repainted following city centre roadworks.
A report presented to Bradford Council’s Executive highlighted a surge in complaints from the public, councillors, and MPs about drivers flouting road rules.
The report stated:
“There is a strong link between illegal driving and road injuries, but enforcing every site manually would be too costly. Camera enforcement allows us to target the most problematic areas and make roads safer for all users.”
Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, Leader of Bradford Conservatives, welcomed the crackdown, saying:
“Across the district, we have far too many people driving dangerously.
Drivers need to know they will be caught for this unacceptable behaviour.”
She urged the Council to prioritise problem areas in Keighley, including North Street and Cavendish Street, which residents say are plagued by reckless driving.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, confirmed that more sites across the district could follow, wherever dangerous driving is an issue.
Camera enforcement at the initial two sites is expected to start later this year, with the wider rollout to begin in 2025.
Drivers are being warned to follow the rules or risk fines, as the Council moves to tackle dangerous driving head-on.
