Cyclists in Cambridge to be fined for jumping red lights

This is very good news

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home...s-18042012.htm

Cyclists jumping red lights in Cambridge could be targeted by council
officers armed with controversial police powers.

The move to stop cyclists flouting the law comes after the city council
learned PCSOs can only issue fines to cyclists riding on pavements. It is
in talks with the Cambridgeshire force to acquire police powers for staff to
issue fines to cyclists jumping lights. The Community Safety Accreditation
Scheme has already been rolled out to Addenbrooke's security guards. They
were given the power to impose on-the-spot fines despite critics claiming it
would create a "private police force".

Now the scheme could be extended to city council employees, if the go-ahead
is given by the police, who would have to train the enforcement officers.
Lynda Kilkelly, the council's safer community's manager, told the News: "It
was put forward and we will certainly pursue it if it helps prevent cyclists
going through red lights. "This is not going to happen overnight, but we
have been talking to the police about what can be done."

Cllr Geoffrey Heathcock has campaigned against cyclists flouting red lights
at the roundabout next to Addenbrooke's, in the Queen Edith's ward he is
county councillor for. He said: "Anything that can be done to enforce the
law at red lights is to be welcomed. Too many cyclists take unnecessary
risks which also impacts on others' safety."

At a meeting of the council's Neighbourhood Action Group, Yvonne Collins,
streets and open spaces manager, asked if its officers could be given the
powers because of the limited scope of PCSOs.

A police spokesman said: "This is still at a very early stage, and would
need to go through consultation."

Mr Benn wrote:
This is very good news

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home...s-18042012.htm

Cyclists jumping red lights in Cambridge could be targeted by council
officers armed with controversial police powers.

The move to stop cyclists flouting the law comes after the city
council learned PCSOs can only issue fines to cyclists riding on
pavements. It is in talks with the Cambridgeshire force to acquire
police powers for staff to issue fines to cyclists jumping lights. The
Community Safety Accreditation Scheme has already been rolled out
to Addenbrooke's security guards. They were given the power to
impose on-the-spot fines despite critics claiming it would create a
"private police force".
Now the scheme could be extended to city council employees, if the
go-ahead is given by the police, who would have to train the
enforcement officers. Lynda Kilkelly, the council's safer community's
manager, told the News: "It was put forward and we will certainly
pursue it if it helps prevent cyclists going through red lights. "This is
not going to happen overnight, but we have been talking to
the police about what can be done."
Cllr Geoffrey Heathcock has campaigned against cyclists flouting red
lights at the roundabout next to Addenbrooke's, in the Queen Edith's
ward he is county councillor for. He said: "Anything that can be
done to enforce the law at red lights is to be welcomed. Too many
cyclists take unnecessary risks which also impacts on others' safety."

At a meeting of the council's Neighbourhood Action Group, Yvonne
Collins, streets and open spaces manager, asked if its officers could
be given the powers because of the limited scope of PCSOs.

A police spokesman said: "This is still at a very early stage, and
would need to go through consultation."

They could raise a tidy sum, on the spot fines would be best, with
confiscation of the bike if they could/would not pay. Who could possibly
object? If they do it right then every bike that is stopped would be
checked for legality and another fine for each item, anything dangerous
would mean that the bike was impounded or crushed, also a good chance to
look for stolen bikes, drugs etc.

Thinking about it, they will need a lot of officers in Cambridge, but at
least it could be self financing.

"Mrcheerful" wrote in message
...
Mr Benn wrote:
This is very good news

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home...s-18042012.htm

Cyclists jumping red lights in Cambridge could be targeted by council
officers armed with controversial police powers.

The move to stop cyclists flouting the law comes after the city
council learned PCSOs can only issue fines to cyclists riding on
pavements. It is in talks with the Cambridgeshire force to acquire
police powers for staff to issue fines to cyclists jumping lights. The
Community Safety Accreditation Scheme has already been rolled out
to Addenbrooke's security guards. They were given the power to
impose on-the-spot fines despite critics claiming it would create a
"private police force".
Now the scheme could be extended to city council employees, if the
go-ahead is given by the police, who would have to train the
enforcement officers. Lynda Kilkelly, the council's safer community's
manager, told the News: "It was put forward and we will certainly
pursue it if it helps prevent cyclists going through red lights. "This is
not going to happen overnight, but we have been talking to
the police about what can be done."
Cllr Geoffrey Heathcock has campaigned against cyclists flouting red
lights at the roundabout next to Addenbrooke's, in the Queen Edith's
ward he is county councillor for. He said: "Anything that can be
done to enforce the law at red lights is to be welcomed. Too many
cyclists take unnecessary risks which also impacts on others' safety."

At a meeting of the council's Neighbourhood Action Group, Yvonne
Collins, streets and open spaces manager, asked if its officers could
be given the powers because of the limited scope of PCSOs.

A police spokesman said: "This is still at a very early stage, and
would need to go through consultation."

They could raise a tidy sum, on the spot fines would be best, with
confiscation of the bike if they could/would not pay. Who could possibly
object? If they do it right then every bike that is stopped would be
checked for legality and another fine for each item, anything dangerous
would mean that the bike was impounded or crushed, also a good chance to
look for stolen bikes, drugs etc.

Thinking about it, they will need a lot of officers in Cambridge, but at
least it could be self financing.

Yes, the scheme could easily be self-financing. In places like Cambridge, a
significant amount of revenue could be earned this way. And it will keep
the streets safer for everyone. I hope this scheme is applied in London as
well.

In message , at 10:13:31 on Wed, 18 Apr
2012, Mr Benn remarked:
Cyclists jumping red lights in Cambridge could be targeted by council
officers armed with controversial police powers.

The move to stop cyclists flouting the law comes after the city council
learned PCSOs can only issue fines to cyclists riding on pavements.

Wouldn't it be simpler to give these extra powers to the PCSOs?
--
Roland Perry

On 18/04/2012 10:40, Mr Benn wrote:

Yes, the scheme could easily be self-financing.

Seems unlikely to me. Most such things are expensive, there's no reason
obvious to me why this should be any different.

--
Tim Ward
www.brettward.co.uk

On 18/04/2012 10:46, Roland Perry wrote:

Wouldn't it be simpler to give these extra powers to the PCSOs?

Not if giving the power to PCSOs requires primary legislation and giving
it to the council doesn't, no.

--
Tim Ward
www.brettward.co.uk

"Roland Perry" wrote in message
...
In message , at 10:13:31 on Wed, 18 Apr 2012,
Mr Benn remarked:
Cyclists jumping red lights in Cambridge could be targeted by council
officers armed with controversial police powers.

The move to stop cyclists flouting the law comes after the city council
learned PCSOs can only issue fines to cyclists riding on pavements.

Wouldn't it be simpler to give these extra powers to the PCSOs?

AND give them tasers?

Provocative? Moi?

:-)

--
Brian
"Fight like the Devil, die like a gentleman."

Tim Ward wrote:
On 18/04/2012 10:40, Mr Benn wrote:

Yes, the scheme could easily be self-financing.

Seems unlikely to me. Most such things are expensive, there's no
reason obvious to me why this should be any different.

the very large number of miscreants that would pay (collectively) a very
large amount.

"Mrcheerful" wrote in message
news
Tim Ward wrote:
On 18/04/2012 10:40, Mr Benn wrote:

Yes, the scheme could easily be self-financing.

Seems unlikely to me. Most such things are expensive, there's no
reason obvious to me why this should be any different.

the very large number of miscreants that would pay (collectively) a very
large amount.

If cyclists had a identifying plate on their bikes, it could be automated
using cameras. Now there's an idea!

On Apr 18, 11:32*am, Tim Ward wrote:
Seems unlikely to me. Most such things are expensive, there's no reason
obvious to me why this should be any different.

Agreed - it would be cash negative like issuing bicycles with VED
discs that read "fee paid £0" on them.

--
Simon Mason