Camera Enforcement Begins for East Park Terrace Restrictions

Camera Enforcement to Begin at East Park Terrace from April 28

Southampton City Council will begin enforcing traffic restrictions at East Park Terrace using automatic cameras starting Monday, 28 April 2025. The measure is part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable transport and improve traffic compliance in the city centre. A similar initiative recently saw over 1,000 warnings issued for bus gate violations in Southampton, reflecting the council's broader strategy to strengthen enforcement in key traffic zones.

The corridor at East Park Terrace, designated for buses, taxis, and cycles only, was introduced under the Transforming Cities Fund programme. Completed in June 2024, the scheme aimed to enhance public transport efficiency, reduce congestion, and support active travel routes connecting the city centre, Solent University, and surrounding communities such as Newtown.

Initial observations show the changes have helped improve bus journey times along the Portswood and Eastleigh routes. The pedestrian environment has also benefited, with safer crossings and improved links to city centre parks, shops, and cultural destinations. Despite these successes, monitoring revealed ongoing violations of the access restrictions by unauthorised vehicles.

To address this, camera enforcement will now be used to encourage greater compliance. For the first six months, drivers who breach the restriction will receive a warning notice for the first offence. A second violation will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. After the six-month warning phase, all infractions will be penalised without warning.

Notices will be sent by post to the registered keepers of offending vehicles. A two-week processing period between a warning notice and the potential issuing of a PCN will be observed to allow drivers time to respond. Revenue generated from PCNs will go toward maintaining the enforcement system, with any surplus reinvested into Southampton’s wider transport infrastructure, in line with national policy.

Eran Kochlany, Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Solent University, expressed appreciation for the project’s positive impact:

"We’re very pleased with the transformation brought about by the new look East Park Terrace. The quieter road and improved pavements have made a significant difference to the safety and overall experience for everyone on campus. It’s now far easier and safer to cross to and from East Park, especially for students, staff and visitors moving between the city centre and the university."

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Southampton City Council, emphasised the project's long-term goals:

"The East Park Terrace scheme is one part of our ambitious plans for transforming bus travel in the city which, in the short term, provides improved bus journeys and a nicer environment adjacent to East Park and underpins the long-term objectives of our Local Transport Plan, Connected Southampton 2040, and camera enforcement is a necessary part of these plans."

”Comments in quotes from officials highlight community satisfaction and the project's broader impact on safety, accessibility, and transport policy.”