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Traffic wardens to hand out £100 fines

Joe Churcher
Tuesday 06 January 2004 01:00 GMT
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A series of anti-congestion measures, including allowing traffic wardens to fine motorists, will help make better use of Britain's roads, MPs were told yesterday.

Under the new powers traffic wardens would be able to fine motorists up to £100 for minor offences. The Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling, said the police had enough pressures on their time without having to deal with matters such as misuse of bus lanes and box junctions, and drivers who ignore amber lights.

He dismissed Tory criticisms, saying the previous Conservative government had transferred parking enforcement powers from the police for the same reason.

The Traffic Management Bill also gives local councils more control over where and when utility companies dig up the roads, allowing them to specify which route roadworks should follow and when works can be done, and to stop roads being dug up repeatedly. Companies would have to apply for a permit for street works, with fines of up to £5,000 for firms that fail to repair roads properly.

Another measure in the Bill is the creation of uniformed Traffic Officers to patrol motorways, to get traffic moving after crashes or breakdowns. The Bill will also require each local authority to appoint a traffic manager responsible for keeping traffic moving. Should an authority fail in this task, a traffic director appointed by Mr Darling could take over.

Opening the second reading debate, Mr Darling defended the plans. He said: "We are committed to sustained high levels of investment in transport. That is why we are tackling the backlog of maintenance and investing in major improvements."

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