Calls grow for ANPR cameras on Stone High Street

A Stone community leader has called on Staffordshire County Council to install cameras to catch motorists flouting a High Street traffic restriction.

Stone Town Council has set aside £30,000 in its latest budget to help fund an ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) system.

The street is supposed to be off limits for vehicles between 10am and 4.30pm, with access allowed outside these hours for traders loading and unloading goods. But many drivers flout the ban, causing concerns for the safety of pedestrians including children and elderly people using the High Street.

Previous attempts have been made to enforce the traffic ban, in conjunction with the county council, Stafford Borough Council and Staffordshire Police. Bollards have also been installed during the day in a bid to prevent access to the High Street, but have been damaged by vehicles.

At this month’s full Staffordshire County Council meeting, Stone representative Jill Hood urged the authority to take further action. She said:

“Cars (are) using the street as a rat-run to bypass Christchurch Way, and as a means to get closer to pick up takeaways.

“It also becomes a car park for visitors to shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants. The High Street, however, is also used during this same time as a route for children to walk to and from three schools, by shoppers, and by customers sitting outside pubs and cafés.

“The police have already undertaken several campaigns to address this issue, without any lasting success. Existing road signs make the position clear, and there are already the words ‘No Entry’ painted in large letters at the entrance to the High Street.

“In my view, this problem needs to be addressed by a form of 24/7 enforcement – I am asking the county council to help address this problem by the introduction of automated number plate recognition (ANPR) into Stone High Street so that offenders can be identified and prosecuted. I believe that this is the only way a lasting solution can be found to make the High Street safer for the public.

“My understanding of Paragraph 10 of Schedule 8 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 is that it would allow the county council to apply to designate the whole or part of its area as a civil enforcement area for moving traffic contraventions. I am asking the council to make such an application in respect of Stone and once approved to implement an ANPR system in the High Street to address this problem.

“The county council should be aware that this issue is taken very seriously by Stone Town Council. The town council are unable to act to implement ANPR without the support of the county council – an amount of £30,000 has, however, been included in Stone Town Council’s budget for 2025-26 which is available to support the county council in taking this action.”

Councillor Mark Deaville, cabinet member for strategic highways, responded: in a written statement

“The concerns and frustrations related to drivers choosing to contravene the current restrictions in Stone High Street are understood and appreciated. And it is accepted that ANPR camera enforcement and issuing of Penalty Charge Notices (PCN’s) would likely offer a more reliable and sustainable solution.

“The process for applying to government for the necessary Moving Traffic Offence enforcement powers is lengthy and cannot be done in isolation for a single location like Stone High Street. Instead, a full countywide business case is required, together with evidence to inform the priority locations across the whole of Staffordshire that could be enforced by ANPR technology

“Feasibility of this business case and the prioritisation of resources to enable it are currently being considered as part of the council’s emerging new Local Transport Plan (LTP) and new Traffic and Network Management Plan (TANMP). In the short-term the highways team are liaising with the town council and local member to arrange enhanced and focused parking enforcement to help alleviate the issues in Stone.”

Councillor Hood, speaking at the meeting, said:

“It mentions in the reply a feasibility study and that makes me go cold. It took me two years to get yellow lines in Church Street in Stone, so goodness knows how long this is going to take

“But I am aware the highways team is looking at the gyratory and configuration of the town, which will be welcome. We’re talking about people’s lives here – families and children.

“We have many events in the High Street; we had a farmers’ market where a car hurtled down the High Street. Can I ask how long you envisage this is going to take?”

Councillor Deaville replied:

“The officers are very serious about delivering this and are supportive. I am highly confident that the new council will continue the work that’s already been done and I assure Mrs Hood and all members that whatever is done will be the best for the people and businesses of Stone.”