Drivers in West Yorkshire and Merseyside are about to see a step change in how everyday junction rules are enforced. From 9 December 2025, Calderdale, Kirklees and Knowsley will be able to issue civil fines for moving traffic offences under a Department for Transport order published on legislation.gov.uk as S.I. 2025/1181.

The measure was made on 11 November 2025, laid before Parliament on 13 November 2025 and comes into force on 9 December 2025. It sits under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and brings selected Northern authorities into the national regime already used by many councils outside London.

In practice, this means approved camera enforcement for contraventions such as banned turns, no-entry signs, one‑way streets, bus‑only routes and yellow box junctions. Offences will be handled through a Penalty Charge Notice issued by the council rather than a police stop, with enforcement focused where signs are in place and rules are clearly marked.

For readers on our patch, think Halifax and Brighouse in Calderdale, Huddersfield and Dewsbury in Kirklees, and Huyton and Kirkby in Knowsley. Ignoring a ‘no right turn’ at a busy junction, stopping in a box when the exit isn’t clear, or driving through a school street restriction could now lead to a ticket in the post.

The Department for Transport says it consulted relevant forces before signing off the change, including West Yorkshire Police and Merseyside Police, alongside others. The Order was signed by junior transport minister Keir Mather on 11 November, formalising a step that many Northern councils have been requesting as bus reliability and school safety remain top concerns.

Crucially, the designated areas mirror the existing parking enforcement footprints already approved years ago. If your neighbourhood has long been under council parking enforcement, it’s likely to be in scope for moving traffic enforcement too, keeping boundaries consistent and avoiding a patchwork of rules.

The same statutory instrument also tidies up East Sussex by bringing previously excluded roads in Hastings and Lewes into that county’s civil enforcement area for parking. Separately, parts of Cambridgeshire are newly approved to enforce bus lanes, aligning bus lane powers with existing parking enforcement zones.

For Northern businesses, this is a short planning window. Re-check delivery routes across Halifax, Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Huyton and Kirkby, update driver briefings on local restrictions, and watch for council notices on where cameras will go live first. Keeping dashcam clips and delivery logs can help if a ticket is disputed.

For residents, civil enforcement does not mean penalty points on a licence. PCNs can be challenged first with the council and then, if needed, at the independent Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Early payment discounts typically apply; exact details will be set out on each council’s notice of penalty.

While supporters expect clearer junctions, safer school streets and more reliable buses, some will worry about fines being used to raise revenue. The Department for Transport’s note to the Order says no significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is expected. Beyond our region, the Order also designates Brighton and Hove, Cornwall, Dorset, Milton Keynes and Slough for moving traffic enforcement, with councils expected to publish go‑live locations and signage ahead of switch‑on.