In September and October of 2022, we consulted on the proposal that Local Authorities are able to apply for new powers to be able to enforce laws against Moving Traffic Contraventions. Previously these powers could only be enforced by the police.
Manchester City Council were granted these powers, and we are now starting a gradual roll out of enforcement through the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at various locations across the city.
We gained these powers so that we can target key areas in the city to:
- Make roads safer for those walking and cycling
- Reduce congestion
- Improve journey times
- Improve air quality, supporting our zero-carbon target
- Increased safety and cleaner air around schools – camera enforced school streets schemes are proven to have a positive effect
To gain these powers we needed to carry out a consultation with residents and road users to seek their views. You can see this consultation and the results on the consultations page.
What are Moving Traffic Contraventions
The main contraventions we are targeting at this stage are:
Banned left, right, or U-turns – when a driver ignores signs informing them which direction they should take. Ignoring these can be dangerous and could result in an accident.
Yellow box junctions – crisscross lines painted at carriageways to help aid the flow of traffic and keep spaces free for emergency vehicles.
Enforcement locations (tranche 2)
Regent Road and Trinity Way
Enforcement to begin in December 2025.
To keep traffic flowing at this busy junction where Regent Road meets Trinity Way, we are enforcing against the blocking of the Yellow Box Junction. By ensuring this junction remains clear, traffic can flow more efficiently and reduce congestion levels leading into the city.
New Quay Street and Water Street
Enforcement to begin in December 2025.
To keep traffic moving where New Quay Street meets Water Street, we are enforcing against the blocking of the Yellow Box Junction. By ensuring this junction remains clear, traffic can more easily onto New Quay Street, reducing congestion levels leading into the city and across the Irwell to Salford.
Quay Street and Gartside Street, and Quay Street and Deansgate
Enforcement to begin in December 2025.
To help ease congestion in the city centre in the area of St John’s and Deansgate, we are enforcing against the blocking of the two Yellow Box Junctions at Quay St and Gartside St, and Quay St and Deansgate.
By ensuring these junctions remain clear, we can prevent backups and reduce the length of time vehicles are stationary at the junctions.
Deansgate
Enforcement to begin in December 2025.
To help with traffic flow and to ease congestion in the city centre in the area around Deansgate, we are enforcing against the blocking of the four Yellow Box Junctions at:
- Deansgate / Blackfriars Street/ St Marys Gate
- Deansgate / Bridge Street / John Dalton Street
- Deansgate / Great Bridgewater Street / Liverpool Road
- Watson Street/Bridgewater Street
By ensuring these junctions remain clear, traffic can flow more efficiently and reduce congestion levels.
George Leigh Street – from Sherratt Street to Cornell Street, and Radium Street – from Naval Street to Jersey Street. One-way streets.
Enforcement to begin December 2025.
To ensure traffic obey the one-way rule in these areas, we will be enforcing these roads through ANPR cameras.
Consequences of ignoring the rules:
If you contravene the rules at these junctions, you may receive a fine also known as a penalty charge notice.
A PCN charge is £70. However, if you pay within 21 days of the date of the notice, the charge will be reduced to £35.
If you don't pay within 28 days, it will go up to £105.
To pay a Moving Traffic Contravention (MTC) fine, please visit our Tickets and Fines page.
To see how this junction works and to understand what we are enforcing against, watch this short video. - Moving Traffic Contraventions Stockport Road with Stanley Grove and Dickinson Road