CCTV to support Traffic Management Act

Story link: CCTV to support Traffic Management Act by Jan Harris

CCTV cameras could be used across the UK to help enforce parking regulations, under the new Traffic Management Act.

The Act, which comes into force in April 2008, will introduce higher parking fines and will use CCTV to complement the work of traffic wardens.

Councils will be able to increase basic parking fines from £60 to £70, and if drivers do not pay within 28 days, the fine could soar to £105.

However, fines for less serious offences, such as parking outside markings, could drop to just £20.

Councils will have the option of adopting either tier 1 level tickets, of £60 for serious offences and £40 for lesser ones, or tier two tickets costing £70 and £50.

The Act will also introduce new offences such as obstructing a driveway when parking, and double parking.

The new CCTV schemes are expected to stretch the budgets of local authorities, with start-up costs of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Parking fines collected by local authorities will be re-invested in the scheme, possibly to increase the number of CCTV cameras. Councils will be able to outsource the operation of the CCTV networks if they wish.

CCTV is already used in London to monitor parking, and fines of up to £120 can be issued to motorists caught parking illegally on CCTV.