ANPR Cameras approved to stop unauthorised bus gate use at station
18/06/2026
During a survey just under a third of the vehicles passing through the gate were unathorised
Approval has been given for Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to be installed at Banbury railway station to enforce restrictions on vehicles using the bus gate on Station Approach.
Oxfordshire County Council wants to prevent unauthorised vehicles from driving through the bus-only section linking Tramway Road and the front of the station. A survey in February revealed just under a third of vehicles driving through the bus gate shouldn’t have done so.
Of the small number of responses to a public consultation the majority were opposed to the installation of ANPR cameras, with some residents describing the scheme as unnecessary, arguing there is little evidence of drivers abusing the restriction and claiming the cameras would be used primarily to generate revenue rather than improve safety.
Several respondents labelled the plans a “cash cow” and questioned spending money on enforcement when other traffic issues in Banbury remain unresolved.
But not all responses were negative. Supporters said the restrictions should be properly enforced and suggested similar camera enforcement could be introduced elsewhere in Banbury town centre.
In approving the scheme Oxfordshire County Council’s Highways Chief – Deddington Councillor Gareth Epps – rejected calls from some people to just open up the route to all traffic. He said: “There are people who are arguing that a bus gate (that has been designed as such) should just be opened up to all. I don’t think we can possibly tolerate the consequences of that. That would seem to be sanctioning people to just break the law and saying we’re not punishing them.
“Anywhere around a station, we need to traffic in the places where it’s supposed to be in very, very confined space.”
Easington County Councillor Kieron Mallon believes the money would have been better spent elsewhere. He said: “I and other Banbury Councillors, disabled groups, residents, Banbury Traffic Advisory Committee, Banbury Area Oversight Group and the Banbury Locality OCC Councillors group have repeatedly requested ANPR cameras in the pedestrian areas of Banbury town centre: namely High St, Broad St, Parsons St and Butchers Row, again and again – we have been ignored every time.
“Why is the money for the Railway Station so quickly found but we are told that there is no money to protect the vulnerable pedestrians and fine those who repeatedly flout the traffic regulations that OCC itself implemented in our town centre?
“This is the latest debacle in this £16m Tramway scheme that has not delivered what I originally asked for. It was originally proposed by me to provide access for all to use the southern station entrance avoiding Bridge St and the traffic lights. But by prioritising busses and cycle it has disadvantaged the elderly, disabled, partially sighted, those with heavy luggage and prams.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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