Ashford, Dartford, Gravesend and Maidstone are among the first Kent towns which could see council cameras used to catch drivers for so-called 'moving traffic offences'.

Kent County Council is applying to the Department for Transport for new powers which mean the authority would be able to fine motorists, up to £70, for ignoring no entry signs, stopping inside yellow boxes or driving in bus or taxi lanes.

The offences, which at present can only be enforced by the police outside of London, would be tackled with the help of Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology which would use fixed cameras to pick up drivers not following the rules of the road in certain locations.

Last year the government proposed giving local councils more powers to improve road safety and tackle congestion - but the suggestions were met with scepticism from some motoring groups which fear that authorities in England will see the change as an opportunity to make money more than one to improve road conditions.

If KCC is granted the powers they will be used across Kent's whole road network, says the authority.

But in opening the consultation into its plans, it revealed that locations in Ashford, Dartford, Gravesend and Maidstone have already been identified among an initial seven sites where the technology and power to fine drivers may be rolled out first.

KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, David Brazier, said: "Our first step is to apply to the DfT to be included in the list of authorities that can enforce key highway offences.

"If KCC is granted these powers they will be used across the county in a phased approach.

"We hope better enforcement will help improve the compliance at these specific sites to make the necessary safety, congestion and public transport improvements and I would encourage people to get in touch with their views."

Both the RAC and AA have expressed caution with the roll-out of the new legislation, which will be available to all local authorities from this June.

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said while he supported councils being able to crackdown where they know rules are deliberately being broken, there were concerns fines would also be issued to drivers where there were other factors at play.

Speaking earlier this year he explained: "It’s right that councils outside London have the ability to enforce known rule-breaking hotspots, but we’re fearful that some authorities may be over-enthusiastic in using their new powers for revenue raising reasons, to the detriment of drivers."

While the AA called for written warnings to be issued before any fines to enable councils to see where traffic problems may lie on the network, and for what reasons, before issuing immediate fines.

Kent residents can now have their say on the plans to give KCC the power to fine motorists for moving traffic offences. The consultation will close on May 9. Click here to find out more and have your say.