Overview
We’ve been working with Wokingham Borough Council since 2017 when the Council commissioned NSL to undertake Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). As the partnership evolved, so did our service offer.
We initially started with four Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOS) and eventually increased to 12 to manage the parking offences throughout the borough.
With road safety being a key priority for the Council, Wokingham identified an immediate reduction in parking offences when officers patrolled in the area, with the aim to further reduce offences, the parking team recognised the importance and benefits of camera technology to tackle moving traffic enforcement (MTE).
The challenge
In alignment with the Council’s commitment to road safety, they aim to reduce traffic congestion. And improve road safety with compliance of moving traffic restrictions enhance traffic flow. This helps to maintain public transport journey times, minimise vehicle emissions, improve air quality and effectively reduce call out times for emergency services’.
After internal political support to proceed with the application for Part 6 powers were given, the Council had 12 weeks to complete their designation order to the Department for Transport (DfT).
With their powers being granted in June, and the Council’s ambitious go-live date for September, Wokingham needed a partner who could efficiently navigate them through the MTE process. Supporting on each various stages, including pre deployment surveys, procurement of equipment, implementation and enforcement of the schemes.
The solution
Through our pre-existing strong partnership with Wokingham, they decided the fastest and most cost-effective way of procuring each element was to do so using the Crown Commercial Services – Transport and Technology Framework (TTAS R609).
Marston’s standardised order pack eased the completion of necessary schedules, enabling swift progression from initial procurement to execution of the contract and subsequent mobilisation.
Design and consultancy
Our design and consultancy arm, Project Centre, supported Wokingham on:
- Programme support to ensure a timely submission.
- Design and delivery of a consultation and engagement strategy which included response review and analysis.
- Review of signs and lines at each site to ensure compliance with Traffic Signs.
- Reviewed existing Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and drafted robust TROS for new sites.
- Reviewed the DfT application before submitting.
Technology
Videlaert, our leading traffic management and enforcement provider, appointed a skilled Project Manager to oversee and manage each element of the process within a tight eight-week period before the go-live date.
Videalert played a vital role in the project with the deployment and implementation of ANPR cameras across 13 identified MTE sites. These cameras were configured to capture complex traffic scenarios, from restricted access. And banned turns to environmental weight-restricted limits, empowering the Council to enforce multiple traffic regulations effectively.
Additionally, by integrating Vortex’s air quality monitors at two locations, we obtained detailed air pollution data for those specific areas. This supports the Council’s commitment to environmental improvement and enables real-time monitoring of air quality in the enforcement zones.
Lines, signs and columns
Part of Wokingham’s requirements included the need for new lamp column installations, signage replacement and lining refreshment.
Through our partnership with Videalert they identified which of the current lamp columns were not suitable for use. And installed seven new columns within the borough, ensuring they were in the most optimal position to enable the highest level of capture possible.
NSL, our experts in parking services and enforcement undertook a refreshment of lines at each site and supported sub-contractors on the installation of new TSRGD compliant signage.
Back-office processing
Developed by our parking experts at NSL, Wokingham were the first local authority to use our new in-house developed Marston Notice Processing System (MNPS) to support the enforcement of the sites.
MNPS is a digital-first, cloud-based solution that allows organisations to issue, review and track penalty/parking charge notices through its lifecycle. This ensuring a fast and efficient service, helping to maximise compliance.
Our MNPS software issued PCNs to road users for traffic offences, and our local team at NSL undertook clip reviews. As well as this our Customer Contact Centre supported the contract by providing correspondence handling for those who were issued PCNs.
Data and reporting
Collecting and reporting data for schemes such as MTE is becoming increasingly important for local authorities, it identifies the impact the measures have and influences future decision making.
Marston has significantly improved its data capture and reporting capabilities over the past year. This enhancement empowers councils, like Wokingham Borough Council, to easily access and showcase the effects of enforcement schemes, facilitating informed decision-making and transparent communication of the scheme’s impact on the local network.
Contravention data
- 19,000 contraventions captured in total between September 2023 – January 2024.
- 27% of those were accepted and received PCNs through MNPS.
- 45% were auto discarded usually because the Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) has been identified by our cameras as whitelisted.
- 28% were reviewed by an operator and manually discarded. Reasons for this could be due the vehicles being emergency services, pedestrian in the way or they don’t believe the contravention was committed.
Outcome
The collaboration between Marston Holdings’ entities enabled the Council to meet statutory requirements. And established a robust foundation for ongoing traffic management and environmental stewardship within the borough.
By harnessing cutting-edge technology and leveraging strategic partnerships, Wokingham Borough Council demonstrated a proactive approach to addressing traffic challenges while prioritising environmental sustainability, setting a benchmark for effective and integrated traffic enforcement solutions and are already looking to roll out further MTE sites as part of their future plans.
Other articles
