Reading council is exploring powers to punish drivers for moving traffic offences such as blocking yellow box junctions, going the wrong way down one way streets and ignoring no entry signs.

Currently, London Boroughs have had the option to enforce these traffic offences at will.

However, councils outside of London have needed the permission of the Government to do so.

Now, Reading Borough Council is planning to get these powers itself and is launching a consultation on whether the move has public support.

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Councillor Tony Page, the lead member for transport, said there is a “particular issue” with people blocking key yellow box junctions, such as the one at the junction of London Road, Craven Road and Eldon Road.

The council’s with these powers get to choose which offences to enforce based on which issues crop up in the area.

Examples of the moving traffic offences Reading Borough Council could enforce include:

  • entering yellow box junctions when the exit is not clear
  • driving through a ‘No Entry’ sign
  • turning left or right when instructed not to do so (making banned turns)
  • driving where and when motor vehicles are prohibited
  • driving on routes that are for buses and taxis only

Once the consultation is undertaken, the council will have to decide whether to apply for the powers or not, with the powers being granted by Department of Transport.

If the powers are granted, the council would first seek to take action to prevent drivers blocking yellow box junctions.

Cllr Page said: “Blocking these junctions can have a massive knock-on effect for other road users.

“This includes adding to poor air quality and putting cyclists and pedestrians in danger, as well as the obvious inconvenience of delays for all road users.

“The Council is considering these powers as an additional tool to help reduce poor air quality from transport related emissions, as we work towards our new zero carbon target in 2030.

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“The Council has lobbied for many years for local authorities outside of London to be given these powers, in order to be able to take action against people who break the Highway Code through illegal manoeuvres, causing delays and inconvenience for others.

“This consultation is an opportunity for all road users, residents, businesses and other interested parties to have their say ahead of the Council deciding whether to adopt these powers or not.”

The consultation is live and you can take part by clicking this link. 

It will run until Friday, May 20.

Cllr Page added: “I’d urge as many people as possible to take a few minutes to complete the consultation so that we can get a broad range of views for consideration.”