A decision will be made this week over introducing number plate recognition at one of Oxford’s busiest roundabouts to prevent an illegal turn.

Plans to install automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at The Plain have been proposed to stop road-users turning left from Cowley Road into Iffley Road.

The proposal has been made by Oxfordshire County Council and will be decided by the authority’s highways chief Andrew Gant at a meeting on Thursday (October 12).

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Oxford Mail: The Plain is one of Oxford’s busiest roundaboutsThe Plain is one of Oxford’s busiest roundabouts

Oxford Mail: The ANPR cameras have been proposed to stop road-users turning left from Cowley Road into Iffley RoadThe ANPR cameras have been proposed to stop road-users turning left from Cowley Road into Iffley Road (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

A consultation has been held on the proposal with 176 responses received.

Of these, 69 per cent of respondents supported the measures while 23 per cent objected.

Mr Gant has been recommended by a council officer in a report to approve the measures.

There is a restriction already in place to stop road-users turning directly left from Cowley Road into Iffley Road, but the officer claimed this was not being followed by vehicles.

He said the geographical area where Iffley Road and Cowley Road join The Plain had seen a higher number of road safety incidents than anywhere else on the roundabout.

“Banned left turn activity is a road safety hazard at this very busy location and increases road risks for all road users,” the officer said.

He claimed the introduction of ANPR cameras would “encourage correct road use”.

Under the proposed enforcement, those who break the rules would receive a £70 penalty charge notice, discounted to £35 if paid within 14 days.