Drivers could soon be handed fines of up to £70 at a handful of local junctions if Manchester City Council is granted new powers.
Following a recent change in legislation that allows local authorities to enforce moving traffic offences, like blocking yellow boxes and banning certain turns, Manchester City Council has now selected seven sites across the city where it would enforce such restrictions – which are already in place, but police do not have the resources to enforce.
If these powers are approved by the government, the Council will launch a six-week public consultation on the scheme before it would come into effect.
Enforcing these powers would come into effect in May 2023 if approved.
An initial list 15 sites identified based on suggested ‘problem areas’ provided by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the Council, and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) – with five potential trial sites then selected to create a shortlist, which was presented to councillors at a scrutiny committee meeting earlier this year.
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Although the committee was supportive of the scheme, it suggested that a range of restrictions are included in the trial – which would allow the Council to learn more from it.
The seven sites Manchester City Council has identified to exercise powers, should they be approved, are as follows:
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Cheetham Hill Road / Elizabeth Street – No right turn
Stockport Road – Box junction & no right turn
Princess Parkway / Palatine Road – Yellow box
Great Ancoats Street / Oldham Road / Oldham Street – Yellow box
Ashton Old Road / Chancellor Lane / Fairfield Street – Yellow box
Wilmslow Road / M56 junction 6 – Ahead Only
Kirkmanshulme Lane / Mount Road – Compulsory left turn / Yellow box
Drivers could soon be handed fines of up to £70 at a handful of local junctions if Manchester City Council is granted new powers / Credit: Google Maps
By using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at these proposed seven sites, first-time offenders would receive warning letters before the full £70 fine is issued, and any £70 fine would be reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days of the offence.
The Council says it’s hoped that dealing with “inconsiderate driving” will help public transport across the city by removing blockages, and potentially improving air quality too.
What’s next? How soon could drivers be handed fines?
If these seven sites are approved this week, then Manchester City Council will launch a public consultation lasting at least six weeks this autumn, and once objections are considered, the Council could then apply for the powers in November and would expect to gain approval from the government by May 2023.
If the Department for Transport (DfT) approves the application, then it means these offences would be decriminalised, and enforcement duties would be transferred to the Council.
The seven sites were all identified based on suggested ‘problem areas’ / Credit: Google Maps
What driving offences won’t be included?
These powers do not include enforcing speeding offences, red light violations, and cycling on the pavement – which all still remain a matter for the police.
When it comes to bus lanes, which Manchester is known for having a fair few of, any surplus income from penalty charge payments must only be used to cover enforcement costs, for highways or public transport.
Manchester City Council has said it will consider extending the enforcement trial in autumn 2023.
Police search for man who threw punch at Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match
Daisy Jackson
Police are searching for man who threw his own punch at the AO Arena after Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
The man in question is believed to have vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the match itself came to an end.
He then punched a man sat behind him in the face, before making off on foot.
He left two women and a man he was with behind.
Police are now appealing to witnesses of the assault on Saturday 21 January 2023 to come forward with any information.
#APPEAL | Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
If you know this man (pictured) please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23. pic.twitter.com/vr6zsUI6ri
CCTV images of the suspect have been released by GMP.
They said in a statement: “Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
“It is reported that then man (pictured) vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the boxing match finished, and struck a man sat behind him in the face.
“The offender then made off on foot, leaving two women and a man he was with, behind.
“Officers believe that the suspect is possibly from the Merseyside area. If you know the man or have any information relating to the crime, please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23.
“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”
Featured image: GMP
News
Salford police officer sacked for ‘depraved’ relationship with vulnerable woman
Daisy Jackson
A police officer has been sacked after carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a crime victim.
Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, has been dismissed and barred after a Gross Misconduct Hearing on 24 and 25 January 2023.
In the hearing, a panel heard how Banks had advised a vulnerable woman to create an email account – which he then accessed to view images and videos, some of which were explicit, that she had uploaded.
He viewed the content more than 200 times and never reported them to his manager or the force’s Professional Standards Branch.
In the end, his own colleagues sensed that something was amiss and raised the alarm.
GMP has now slammed Banks’s ‘depraved behaviour’ and stressed that ‘there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him’.
A statement also said that he ‘abused his position of trust’.
Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, said: “Banks knew full well that his conduct was egregiously wrong.
“By cultivating an improper relationship with a vulnerable member of the public who he met in the course of his policing duties, the officer has been deservedly sacked from GMP.
“Not only has he disgraced himself, but his depraved behaviour dishonours policing and undermines the principled endeavours of his colleagues, who everyday do a valiant job catching criminals and protecting our communities.
“Indeed, it was Banks’ own colleagues who sensed something was amiss and triggered the first step in a process that rooted him out.
“The prudence of his colleagues is to be commended and I am grateful to the IOPC for conducting an investigation that left no stone unturned.
#SACKED I A police officer has been dismissed and placed on the College of Policing Barred List for carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a vulnerable woman. Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, appeared at a disciplinary hearing. More here – https://t.co/NUQ0aEEa8Opic.twitter.com/LWzTYQpb55
“No decent member of the police service wants to work with the likes of Banks and there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him.
“He abused his position of trust and for that the Office of Constable has been rightly stripped from him.
“GMP is a better force without Banks and we will recruit a new officer into his post who will discharge their duties with honour and espouse the professional and compassionate values of the GMP workforce.”
Banks, who had been on restricted since the investigation began in December 2020, was dismissed without notice.
Emily Sergeant -
15th September 2022 
