Tough measures come into force next week to improve road safety and ease congestion in built-up areas.

New Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed at eight locations across Medway .

From Monday, the cameras will be used to enforce traffic signs and road markings and issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for offences such as driving through a 'no entry' sign, illegal turns or stopping in yellow box junctions.

Medway Council has been issued new traffic enforcement powers, previously only held by the police.

Moving traffic offences will be enforced with ANPR cameras at the following locations:

• Gillingham High Street, Gillingham: No motor vehicles restriction.

• Chatham Hill (A2), junction with Rock Avenue in Gillingham: Yellow box restriction.

• A2 Watling Street, junctions with Ash Tree Lane and Canterbury Street, Gillingham: Yellow box restriction.

• Cuxton Road at High Street junction with Gun Lane, Strood: Yellow box restriction.

• Rochester High Street, Rochester: No motor vehicles restriction on Saturdays.

• A2 High Street junction with Orchard Street, Rainham: No right turn.

• Gibraltar Hill junction with A230 Maidstone Road, Chatham: Yellow box restriction.

• High Street junction with The Brook, Chatham: Pedestrian zone and no entry restrictions.

All of the traffic restrictions being covered by cameras are already in place.

No new restrictions are being introduced as part of the change.

ANPR cameras will capture the vehicle registration number of motorists who do not comply with traffic signs and road markings at the eight sites.

The footage will be reviewed by council staff before a PCN is issued.

Emergency services will continue to be exempt.

For the first six months a warning letter will be sent rather than a PCN for a first-time offence.

However, repeat offences within the six-month period will result in a PCN being issued – £70 reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

Income generated through PCNs will be used to cover the set-up and running costs of enforcement.

Any surplus income will be invested back into Medway’s roads through highway repairs, public transport infrastructure improvements and environmental projects.

Cllr Tris Osborne, portfolio holder covering enforcement said: “We are committed to keeping Medway moving and by using these new powers to enforce these existing traffic restrictions we can help reduce congestion and further enhance the safety of our roads for all users, including pedestrians.”

Previously, these offences could only be enforced by the police.

However, following a public consultation in 2022 the government granted Medway Council the ability to enforce moving traffic offences in July 2023.

The police will also continue to enforce moving traffic offences across Medway, including at these locations.