Under new government proposals, councils could be banned from using CCTV cameras and cars with mounted cameras to fine motorists who park illegally.
Around 75 councils, with 102 cars equipped with spy cameras, have permission to use CCTV cameras or “approved devices” enabling them to enforce parking restrictions. This approval came in under Labour’s 2004 Traffic Management Act. In the past five years, static and car mounted cameras have been used to issue more than 10 million fines, totalling £301m.
Eric Pickles said: “We want to rein in these over-zealous and unfair rules on parking enforcement, so it focuses on supporting high streets and motorists, not raising money.
“Parking spy cars are just one example of this and a step too far. Public confidence is strengthened in CCTV if it is used to tackle crime, not to raise money for council coffers.”
But Tony Ball, of the Local Government Association, which represents councils, said parking controls were “not about revenue raising” but were “absolutely essential” for allowing people to leave their cars near shops or their homes.
He added: “Camera cars have been instrumental in keeping children from being hurt or killed on the way to school, and CCTV plays an important role elsewhere in monitoring traffic flow and keeping cars moving.
“Nobody likes getting a parking fine but the fact that less than 1% go to adjudication shows that in the vast majority of cases councils get it right.
“Income from on-street parking fines and charges is spent on parking services with any money left over spent on services like fixing potholes and providing subsidised bus travel to children and the elderly.”
Sep, 27, 2013