Contact: Peter Bayless, ext 6882 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That approval be given in principle to:

(a) undertake bus lane enforcement in pursuance of the powers conferred under Section 144 of the Transport Act 2000 and to impose penalty charges in respect of bus lane contraventions; and

(b) discharge the County Council's functions in respect of the appointment of bus lane adjudicators (including the provision of accommodation, staff and other facilities) through a joint committee with other like Councils, and to enter into an agreement with other Councils for this purpose (under Section 101 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972) on similar terms to the National Parking Adjudication Service Joint Committee Agreement.

(ii) That a further report be submitted in due course on proposals for bus lane enforcement in Winchester.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 5 (Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy by taking the necessary preparatory steps for the introduction of the civil enforcement of bus lanes, which is expected to help improve public transport services. The definition of bus lanes includes bus only links such as Middle Brook Street and Station Hill in Winchester, and the proposed scheme at Yew Tree Drive, Whiteley. Such schemes can be subject to significant levels of contravention and civil enforcement by camera is one option to help the efficiency of the bus priority measures.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to adopt powers under the Transport Act 2000 for the civil enforcement of bus lanes. The Police will still be able to enforce bus lanes as a criminal offence, whether or not these powers are adopted by the County Council, but the enforcement of Traffic Orders which are not safety related is not a high priority for the Police.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T G Knight

760Decn/PDB