Author Topic: Access restrictions to stop rat running  (Read 444 times)

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Access restrictions to stop rat running
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Local estate in Redbridge has new access restrictions to stop rat runners during peak hours.

They are setting an (as yet) undefined time threshold to enter and leave the estate. ANPR at each of 3 entry/exit points.

Already have delivery drivers refusing to enter during restricted hours 🙄

Residents already getting buyers remorse, mostly through dreaming up unrealistic scenarios.

Is there a standard approach to appealing this type of access restrictions?

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Re: Access restrictions to stop rat running
« Reply #1 on: »
If the restrictions are part time the times must be shown on the entry signs.

Re: Access restrictions to stop rat running
« Reply #2 on: »
I'm always intrigued by this sort of setup.

So if we say the restricted hours are peak hours 7am-7pm surely there needs to be a journey time considered that would rule out the rat run? For example the delivery drivers refusing to enter. If they are stopping and delivery to one or multiple houses then time taken between entry and exit would seem to rule out it being used for a rat run.

Similarly for residents. Will they be able to register their vehicles? If I'm picking up my son for football for instance, I would enter one end of my street, pick him up curbside and then exit immediately at the other end.

Seems flawed otherwise.     

Re: Access restrictions to stop rat running
« Reply #3 on: »
Low traffic neighbourhoods mean you can access any address but you need to do so by certain roads. Some have exemptions for blue badge holders. 

School streets are different as they do prevent access at either end except for residents of the road and others such as teachers possibly.

There are other measures such as banned turns at peak hours.

All told there are about 25,000 low traffic schemes of various types in the UK, some of which have been in place for decades.

Re: Access restrictions to stop rat running
« Reply #4 on: »
It's bound to have flaws. Impossible to get the perfect set up.
I'd expect the council to be lenient to resident appeals or resident supported appeals.
School run pickup/drop off by family friends is probably most at risk.

Some have suggested leaving by the point you entered. I don't think Redbridge will be that clever.

If the queue to leave is long enough it won't trigger a PCN.

Overall a decent reduction in rat runners and leniency to residents is the best outcome.
20mph and road humps due soon 😬
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Re: Access restrictions to stop rat running
« Reply #5 on: »
You haven't said where and what this scheme is so it's not possible to say anything specific.

Re: Access restrictions to stop rat running
« Reply #6 on: »
Rat run reduction plans

Cant make head nor tail of their stats as evidence of rat running. However, that's probably irrelevant as the signs and cameras are now in place and it doesnt't need stats to know people rat run at peak times.

Several more cases of delivery drivers not passing the signs which is ridiculous. Redbridge will apparently look at what other signs can be used but as far as I can see the signs are OK and convey the restriction. The problem is a lot of people don't understand what 'Except for access' means.


Re: Access restrictions to stop rat running
« Reply #7 on: »
The DfT operational guidance which has since been withdrawn advised

10.65 Registration with the TEC can be transferred to the Sheriff’s Court in Scotland so that enforcement can be carried out against a motorist whose vehicle is registered at an address in Scotland. However, registration against a motorist whose vehicle is registered at an address in the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands or a foreign country cannot be enforced.

I don’t believe this has changed. Therefore it’s surprising that courier companies and many other companies don’t take advantage of this to avoid paying PCN’s. Most councils write off PCN’s issued to vehicles registered to a Scottish or Northern Ireland address because the costs and admin involved to transfer debt registration to their court system is too timely and costly that it's not worth it.

Re: Access restrictions to stop rat running
« Reply #8 on: »
That's an unusual scheme as it relies on time in the zone to weed out rat runners - hats off to Redbridge for calling them what they are.

No reason not to use technology and if you want to be sure of not getting a PCN I guess you'd exit by the road you entered on.

Re: Access restrictions to stop rat running
« Reply #9 on: »
Interesting you assume no PCN for entering and leaving through the same road.

Makes absolute sense but let's see if Redbridge have the intelligence to set it up this way.