I was surfing through some local government websites yesterday, looking for details of parking-fine revenues, when I came across this, and I quote:
‘From March 31st this year councils across England were empowered to use CCTV camera images to enforce parking fines. Prior to this ruling, parking tickets were only valid if placed on the vehicle or handed to the driver in person. The new regulations stipulate that CCTV cameras can be used only in areas where it is too “difficult or sensitive” for an attendant to operate, such as a fast-flowing road or a busy junction. Now, fines can be issued through the post up to 14 days after the alleged offence occurred.’
This is news to me, and I guess to most of you, too. So before you next dart into the newsagents or offy, don’t simply scan the vicinity for wardens – look up, and if you can see a camera, it can see you.
Check out the site in question for yourself: you will find it here. Has anyone been caught this way?
My partner has had two tickets issued.
Once for parking just off the main road, with me sitting in the car waiting for her to drop off some laundry, the second occasion she stopped on a yellow line to pop into a shop. Both tickets were issued in Richmond.
On both these occasions a CCTV camera was used to ‘issue’ the fine. But these locations are hardly an “area that is too “difficult or sensitive” for an attendant to operate”. I may have to ‘appeal’ against them based on your observations.
Tony | 01 Oct 08 - 15:00It’s big business, Tony. In the fiscal year 2004/5. LB Richmond alone netted £9,518, 000 in parking fines.
Incidentally, if any reader gets ticketed in a commercial vehicle, there’s a company that will appeal on your behalf on a no-luck, no-fee basis. Go to http://www.pcn-appeals.co.uk/whatwedo.html
Graham Whyte | 01 Oct 08 - 16:27