Drivers warned as Wonford Road cameras go live

New cameras will go live on Wonford Road in Exeter next month to monitor and enforce restrictions at the city’s bus gate.

The cameras are part of a wider rollout across Devon, with eight locations earmarked for new enforcement technology over the coming months.

A restriction allowing only buses, cycles — and recently taxis — has been in place on Wonford Road since 2020. However, until now it could only be enforced by police. The new cameras will give Devon County Council (DCC) the power to fine drivers who breach the rules under powers devolved by the Department for Transport.

This is part of a wider programme allowing DCC to tackle Moving Traffic Offences (MTOs), including banned turns, entering yellow-box junctions when the exit isn’t clear, or driving through no-entry signs and bus-only routes.

Other Devon sites to receive cameras include bus gates and bus lanes at Old Torrington Road, Taw Vale and other routes in Barnstaple, as well as Topsham Road, Fore Street Heavitree, Cowick Street and Iron Bridge in Exeter.

For the first six months after each camera is switched on, drivers who ignore the restrictions will receive a warning letter. Repeat offences will incur a penalty charge notice (PCN). After six months, all offences will result in a PCN.

Money raised from these fines will be reinvested into maintaining the cameras, with any surplus going towards highway or public transport improvements and environmental schemes.

Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “These aren’t new restrictions; these cameras will help us enforce areas where existing restrictions are frequently ignored.

Over five days we counted more than 1,000 motorists using the Wonford Road bus gate despite the signage.

Ignoring restrictions could cause an accident, but we appreciate it will take people time to get used to the cameras — that’s why we’ll issue warnings at first rather than tickets.”