Motorists in Stone are being reminded that they face automated fines for driving through a bus gate on Stone Business Park as an ANPR camera goes live today, Friday 1st April 2022.
The installation of the new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) at the Beacon Rise entrance to Stone Business Park is no April Fool’s joke, Staffordshire County Council has confirmed.
It has been welcomed by a community leader as a measure to tackle the serious matter of road safety for families travelling to and from schools and nurseries in Walton.
Previously the bus-only link between the business park and the residential area was controlled by automatic bollards.
David Williams, cabinet member for highways and transport at Staffordshire County Council said:
“The bus gate links Stone Business Park with Walton and allows bus services to move more easily and quickly between locations when picking up and dropping off passengers.
“The new ANPR camera will allow buses, cyclists and emergency vehicles to use the bus gate, however, any vehicles not permitted to pass through will be issued with an automatic fine. The previous rising bollards did require significant maintenance and additional costs and the new system will provide better value for money for the council and local taxpayers.
“The camera will be in operation from Friday 1 April and signs will be installed to advise people of the changes.”
Jill Hood, who represents Walton as a town, borough and county councillor, is pleased to see action being taken to stop drivers flouting the rules. She said the bus gate had been used as a rat run by both residents and traffic from the business park in the past.
She added:
“I really think this camera will deter HGVs and speeding cars coming through. We have three schools and three nurseries in the area and it really is unsafe sometimes – especially at peak times when traffic is trying to avoid chaos on the A34.
“I understand some residents are annoyed- it has been very convenient for them to nip through previously. To me the safety of children walking to school is important and we have been waiting for this for two years.”
