Ten new traffic enforcement sites to be added across West Northamptonshire

21 September 2026

Ten new locations across West Northamptonshire will be brought into the Council's traffic enforcement programme in the coming weeks after agreement by Cabinet.

The proposals to expand enforcement measures is aimed at improving road safety and keeping traffic moving.

The decision follows the success of existing enforcement activity at a number of locations across the area, where figures show that more than 80 per cent of motorists who received a penalty charge notice (PCN) have not gone on to commit a further offence.

The additional locations were identified through detailed assessment work and a public consultation carried out in December 2025, with input from partners including emergency services, bus operators and road safety teams.

The ten new enforcement sites are:

Banned turns

• Upton Valley Way East junction with Banbury Lane
• Collingwood Road, junction with St Matthew’s Parade
• Abington Square, right turn onto Wellingborough Road side, near Charles Bradlaugh statue

Yellow box junctions 

• St Peter’s Way, junction with Weston Wharf
• Cliftonville Road, at the entrance to the hospital
• Harborough Road, two sites (Cock Hotel junction and junction with the A5095)
• Weedon Road, junction with Spencer Bridge Road
• Mere Way, opposite the fire station and at the Wootton Hall Park junction

No entry/one-way streets 

• St Giles’ Square, between Wood Hill and Derngate

Thirteen locations were originally considered as part of this phase of the programme. Following consultation and further review, three sites were not taken forward because they were not considered suitable for enforcement at this stage, including where there was insufficient evidence of repeated breaches or where physical or technical challenges were identified.

Cllr Richard Butler, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "Approving these new enforcement sites is another step towards making our roads safer and keeping traffic moving across West Northamptonshire.

"We've already seen a real difference at existing sites, with most drivers changing their behaviour after receiving a penalty notice and not offending again.

"These locations have been chosen because they're places where drivers regularly ignore restrictions, leading to unnecessary delays and creating risks for other road users. The decision has been informed by traffic data, local insight and feedback from our partners.

"As with the sites already in place, we'll take a fair and sensible approach. For the first six months, anyone committing a first offence will receive a warning rather than a fine, giving people time to get used to the restrictions.

"This isn't about catching drivers out. It's about encouraging safer driving, reducing disruption and helping everyone get where they need to be, including bus passengers and emergency services."

Enforcement is carried out using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. Every recorded contravention is reviewed by a trained officer before a decision is made on whether to issue a PCN.

Any funds generated pay the costs of operating the service, including enforcement, equipment, software systems and staffing. Any surplus must be reinvested in public transport, highway improvements and environmental projects in line with Government regulations.