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15 Oct 2025

Cameras are about to go live in Barnstaple to enforce traffic restrictions

Enforcement cameras will soon be live in Barnstaple, with offending drivers receiving letters in the post

Barnstaple Square no right turn credit DCC-Google

The long standing no right turn restriction at the Square in Barnstaple is one of three areas in the town to get traffic enforcement cameras. Credit: DCC/Google

Traffic cameras will soon be going live in Barnstaple to enforce road restrictions in three well-known areas of the town.

Devon County Council now has the power to enforce Moving Traffic Offences - previously this could only be carried out by the police.

The Barnstaple locations that will have cameras are the Square and two bus gates – all three have had restrictions in place for some time.

At the Square, there is a no right turn rule onto Taw Vale, which was first introduced in 2007 to complement the new Barnstaple Western Bypass.

A county council survey carried out in the summer of 2023 saw the rule broken 100 times in three days.

READ NEXT: Senior councillors to address road safety in North Devon

There will also be a camera covering the bus gate between the northern junction with Litchdon Street and the junction with The Square. This restriction was also introduced in 2007 and a three day survey found it was broken 124 times.

The third location is the bus gate on Old Torrington Road at Sticklepath in Barnstaple.

Above: The bus gate on the Old Torrington Road in Barnstaple will also be covered by an enforcement camera. Credit: Google

The council said during the first six months after each camera comes online, motorists caught breaking the rules at any one of the locations will be sent a warning letter for their first offence.

If, however, they are caught again at the same location, they will receive a penalty charge notice (PCN). After the initial six months, all offenders will be subject to a PCN.

The council said funds generated from PCNs will be ring-fenced to pay for the cameras and any surplus is restricted for highway or road improvement projects, public transport provision and other environmental projects.

Councillor Dan Thomas, cabinet member for highway management, said: “These sites are particular problem areas where the rules of the road are broken hundreds of times a day, potentially putting other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists at risk.

“These aren’t new restrictions they have been in place for some time, but they are areas where restrictions are frequently ignored.

“We do appreciate that when changes are made it can take some time to get used to them, and that’s why for the first six months for a first offence the driver will receive a warning letter. If, however, they break the rules again they will receive a penalty charge notice (PCN).”

The council is also installing cameras at three bus lanes and one bus gate in Exeter.

You can view the restriction details in more detail on the Devon County Council website.

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