Decision details

Replace the existing and aging ANPR camera network with modern and up to date technology to maintain the high quality enforcement within the core historic centre of Bath and outside on the priority arterial routes.

The Cabinet Member agrees to the commencement of the procurement of replacement cameras by granting full approval of the £300k capital budget.

The benefits of the bus gates within the city centre have been proven in reducing traffic impact on the historic core of the city by reducing traffic flows and associated congestion within the centre.

The enforcement of the bus lanes and gates is strongly supported by all public transport operators as they provide punctuality benefits on the network. The project is supported by IT due to the removal of the risk of continuing to maintain an obsolete and unsupported operating system.

·  Continue with current systems and don’t upgrade – This option has been rejected for the following reasons –

  (1)  The current system runs on Windows XP, an obsolete   and unsupported operating system. This causes security   issues for the Councils network.

  (2)  The reliability of the system is reducing over time due to   the age of the technology resulting in reduced capture   rates. The maintenance of equipment no longer     manufactured will lead to increases in maintenance costs   and increased downtime.

(3)  Enforcement will cease to function in due course reducing income to nil resulting in a budget deficit based on forecast income.

• Postpone the upgrade for a defined period of time – This option has been rejected for the reasons set out above.

• Remove the bus gates in total and all associated enforcement – This option has been rejected as the bus gates are an important part of the overall traffic management plan for the city, reducing cross city journeys and improving congestion.

·  Discontinue the enforcement of the bus gates – This option has been rejected as the bus gates will become inefficient over time if there is no enforcement as the deterrent for complying with the restriction will have been removed.