DOZENS of traffic laws will now be enforced in Redbridge following a u-turn by police.

In February the Met announced they would no longer uphold minor moving traffic laws, and handed over the powers to local authorities instead.

But a blunder by Redbridge Council meant without full council approval they too were unable to enforce the laws until July at the earliest, leading to a driving free-for-all for motorists.

The regulations - which include those designed to ensure drivers obey one-way street signs, yellow-box junctions and no stopping zones outside schools - remained unenforced for weeks as a result.

But now the police have decided to bail-out authorities such as Redbridge Council by taking over enforcement of the laws until they get their paperwork in order.

A spokeswoman for the police said: "To ensure the safety of London's roads, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) reviewed its legal position in relation to the introduction of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the Transport for London Act 2003.

"This Act decriminalises a number of moving traffic offences involving non-compliance with signs, which means that borough councils now have the power to enforce them.

"As a result of the review of our legal position, where boroughs have yet to delegate these powers, the MPS will continue to enforce them."

She added: "Across the whole of London, where officers see driving that is blatantly of a poor standard or that endangers other road users, police will still intervene and take action under their general powers to tackle dangerous or careless driving."

Around two-thirds of London's councils had already taken over enforcement of the laws when the Met announced their original decision in February.