Pickles vows to ban 'parking spy cars'

Local government and transport secretaries criticise local government's use of CCTV in run up to Conservative Party conference

Eric Pickles

Eric Pickles

Local government secretary Eric Pickles has announced a plan to ban the enforcement of parking using both static and mobile cameras as part of a joint consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport. 

“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,” said the Conservative cabinet minister.

“Parking spy cars are just one example of this and a step too far,” Pickles continued. “Public confidence is strengthened in CCTV if it is used to tackle crime, not to raise money for council coffers.”

However, the Local Government Association (LGA) hit back, stating that cameras play a vital role in improving road safety and reducing traffic congestion. Around 75 councils currently have permission to use CCTV cameras or “approved devices” to enforce parking restrictions. Councils received the power to enforce parking using cameras under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

While Pickles’ department is responsible for local government, the Traffic Management Act is the province of the Department for Transport and use of cameras is also a matter for the Home Office. Pickles has enlisted the support of transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, also a Tory, who has jointly announced a consultation on parking regulations.

“Labour’s ill thought-out policies have led to an increase in congestion and parking problems on our streets,” McLoughlin said. “By making sensible changes such as providing more parking spaces for local shoppers we can help ease traffic flow whilst supporting our vibrant high streets. Arbitrary parking rules force shoppers online or to out of town stores, causing lasting damage to local firms and small shops.”

Pickles and McLoughlin, announced that the DCLG and the DfT will in publish details of further reforms, including:

• Stopping CCTV being used for on-street parking enforcement

• New open data on parking to allow the public to ‘go compare’.

There will also be proposals for consultation on:

• Updating parking enforcement guidance to support local shops

• Tackling wrongly-issued fines

• Stopping unacceptable parking fine collection practices

• Reviewing unnecessary yellow lines and the scope for residents’ reviews

• Reviewing the grace period for parking offences

• Clamping down on anti-social driving and encouraging social responsibility

• Spreading best practice on supporting town centres and tackling illegal parking

• Analysis of the impact of different transport policies on town centre vitality.

Tony Ball, vice chairman of the LGA’s economy and transport board, said: “Parking controls are not about revenue raising, they are absolutely essential for keeping the roads clear and making sure people can park near their homes and local shops. 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% goes 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.”

Pickles has accused councils of making excessive profits from parking and suggested that drivers be allowed to park on double yellow lines for up to 15 minutes when shopping.

Camera enforcement will be one of the major themes discussed at the annual Parking World conference, which takes place at the Kia Oval on Wednesday 13 November. To book a place click here