Oxford’s highways chief has approved plans to install automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at one of the city's busiest roundabouts.

At a meeting this morning (Thursday, October 12), Andrew Gant agreed to bring in the technology at The Plain to stop road-users making an illegal left turn from Cowley Road into Iffley Road.

The proposal was made by Oxfordshire County Council to improve road safety.

Mr Gant said: “I invite anyone to go and stand there for half an hour. It happens a lot. It’s dangerous, it’s illegal, it shouldn’t happen.”

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There is a restriction already in place to stop road-users making the illegal turn, but council officers claimed this was not being followed by vehicles.

Before making his decision, Mr Gant, who is cabinet member for highway management, said: “It enforces in a different way an existing regulation.

“I am confident it will do that more effectively than the current regime and thereby increase safety.”

A consultation was held on the proposal with 176 responses received.

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

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

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

If motorists believed they were charged unfairly, they could make use of the appeals process.