A Gwent Police operation in Newport City Centre has resulted in 153 drivers being given fixed penalty tickets for using an illegal shortcut.
A team of four PCSOs sponsored by bus company Newport Transport launched Operation Emlyn this week to deal with an increasing number of drivers ignoring traffic laws on Emlyn Street, Kingsway and Lower Dock Street. Police are now warning drivers to avoid using the illegal shortcut in future as the problem will be closely monitored by officers.
Operation Emlyn ran between April 14 and 15 and was launched in reaction to complaints received from bus companies and residents of Emlyn Street regarding the illegal use of the bus lanes. Police officers and PCSOs from Newport City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team assisted in dealing with vehicles committing driving offences. Drivers caught were given a £30 fixed penalty notice for breaching traffic orders.
City Centre redevelopment has led to Emlyn Street being closed to through traffic, the only exception being for buses and drivers using the new Kingsway Centre car park. The main priority of the operation was to target vehicles using bus lanes, contravening ‘No Entry’ signs on the Kingsway leading onto Emlyn Street, and contravening the ‘No Right Turn’ signs on Emlyn Street and Lower Dock Street.
PCSO Fiona Manfield, who helped coordinate the operation, said:
“This traffic is causing major disruption which affects the free running of buses in the city.
It is also extremely dangerous for vehicles to turn right onto Emlyn Street as they could collide with the buses driving through the bus lane.
Operation Emlyn has proved the extent of this problem and we will ensure the area is patrolled regularly. Anyone caught causing offences will be dealt with appropriately.”
Superintendent Julian Knight added:
“Gwent Police in Newport, working in partnership with Newport Transport, is committed to allowing the free flow of public transport.
We believe that this will not only assist in the movement of people within the city but also reduce road collisions and resulting injuries.
I would urge members of the public to respect the traffic regulations and show consideration to all road users.”
