Cornwall Council will begin enforcing existing traffic restrictions in Market Jew Street and Market Place, Penzance, using camera technology from 28 September 2026. The scheme is part of the council's wider commitment to support local aspirations for safer, cleaner and more accessible town centres for residents, businesses and visitors. Developed in partnership with Penzance BID and Penzance Council, it supports a shared vision for a vibrant, accessible and attractive town centre.
Following a public consultation and approval from the Department for Transport, Cornwall Council has been granted powers to enforce certain moving traffic restrictions using cameras. These powers help improve compliance with existing restrictions, support road safety and accessibility, and enable Devon & Cornwall Police to focus on wider policing priorities.
Market Jew Street and Market Place are key destinations within Penzance town centre, providing access to local businesses, public services and transport connections. Existing vehicle restrictions were introduced to improve safety, accessibility and the overall environment for people using the town centre. However, some drivers continue to ignore these restrictions, affecting the benefits they were designed to achieve. Camera enforcement will help ensure that these restrictions are followed, creating a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone who lives, works, shops and visits Penzance.
Enforcement will apply to the following existing traffic restrictions: Market Jew Street and Market Place, and Adelaide Street into Market Jew Street. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have been installed at approved enforcement locations. Potential contraventions will be reviewed by trained officers before any enforcement action is taken. Where a contravention is confirmed, a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will be issued to the registered keeper of the vehicle.
The penalty charge for a moving traffic contravention is currently £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. Penalty charge levels are set nationally.
Some vehicles are exempt from certain restrictions where exemptions are included within the relevant Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). Cornwall Council maintains exemption lists to ensure authorised vehicles are not incorrectly issued with a PCN. Examples include local buses, licensed hackney carriages, emergency service vehicles and other authorised vehicles specified within the relevant TRO.
Blue Badge holders will not be exempt from the restrictions. However, a Blue Badge holder parked in the disabled parking spaces on the street before the restrictions begin at 11am will be able to leave without facing a penalty.
Before introducing camera enforcement, Cornwall Council carried out a formal public consultation between 14 May and 25 June 2025. The consultation sought views from residents, businesses and stakeholders on the proposed use of moving traffic enforcement powers in Market Jew Street and Market Place. The consultation produced a positive response overall, with strong support for the introduction of enforcement at both locations. The feedback helped inform the council's application for enforcement powers.
For more information about Moving Traffic Enforcement, including how enforcement works, vehicle exemptions, appeals, penalty charges and the use of income from PCNs, please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below.
Moving Traffic Enforcement (MTE) is the use of camera technology to help enforce certain traffic restrictions on Cornwall's roads. Where a vehicle is observed contravening a signed restriction, Cornwall Council may issue a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) under civil enforcement powers. Until recently, these traffic offences were enforced only by the Police. In December 2025, the Government gave Cornwall Council the authority to enforce certain moving traffic restrictions using cameras.
Cornwall Council has adopted these enforcement powers to help improve the safety and operation of the highway network. These powers allow the council to support compliance with traffic restrictions while enabling Devon & Cornwall Police to focus on other policing priorities. The aims of enforcement include improving safety, accessibility and the environment for all road users and pedestrians.
Moving Traffic Enforcement may be used at locations where specific traffic restrictions are in place, including bus lanes, banned turns, and restrictions on vehicle entry. Cornwall Council takes an evidence-led approach when considering locations for enforcement. Sites are assessed against factors such as collision history, levels of non-compliance, and the impact on local communities. Camera enforcement will only be introduced where there is a clear and demonstrable need.
Cameras to Enforce Penzance Market Jew Street Restrictions