TRAFFIC wardens and the CCTV Smart Car will have their hands full after an increase in the number of illegal manoeuvres motorists will be fined for. The Assembly agreed to broaden the council s scope for policing driving violations at a meeting last Wedn

TRAFFIC wardens and the CCTV Smart Car will have their hands full after an increase in the number of illegal manoeuvres motorists will be fined for.

The Assembly agreed to broaden the council's scope for policing driving violations at a meeting last Wednesday (July 22).

After many traffic offences were decriminalised in 2003, councils were able to take over from police to issue fines to motorists who ran red lights and made illegal left and right hand turns, to name a few.

In Barking and Dagenham the new rules will come into affect on November 22 this year.

It was suggested by leader of the opposition, Cllr Bob Bailey, that this was a money making exercise for the council.

He said: "Regarding this legislation. I have never seen the police enforce any of these offences.

"The whole thing smacks of just earning revenue for the council."

And leader of the Conservative opposition, Cllr Terry Justice, said: "I wonder whether we are creating a toothless tiger.

"If we agree to take on all these new offences and then they cannot be enforced it will be a total waste of time."

However council leader, Cllr Liam Smith, disagreed with both opposition councillors.

"Parking violations and jumping red lights etc, that's a job for our traffic department," he said.

"I would much rather the police were out there catching thieves and burglars and making our borough safer."

Failing to give way, illegal U-turns, driving into "no entry" areas, using bus lanes outside the appropriate time and many other offences will be dealt with by the council.

A full list is available online, visit www.lbbd.gov.uk.