More CCTV parking enforcement across borough announced

The Council has asked ActonW3.com to spread the word that more CCTV cameras are coming across Ealing borough to snap motorists.

Whilst acknowledging that the move will not be a welcome one, a spokesperson for the council was anxious that ActonW3.com subscribers should be given plenty of warning of the stepped up enforcement.

The Council will initially use its cameras on hotspot areas where residents have complained about illegal parking.

The Council already uses CCTV to enforce bus lanes, box junctions, banned turns, no entry, weight limits and restricted routes. But from March 31, the Council will now also use CCTV to enforce crossings and associated zig-zags, yellow lines and parking on footpaths.

A full list of locations and types of restrictions that will be enforced is available on the parking section of the Council’s website, www.ealing.gov.uk.

For locations that have not been enforced before, Ealing Council will issue dummy tickets on the week commencing March 3, for two weeks. It will then cease enforcement for two weeks, to allow people who parked illegally to be sent warning notices. Enforcement will then begin for real from March 31.

The Council will use its 25 existing cameras which monitor bus lanes, its 12 CCTV vans and 19 rapid deployment cameras which can be attached to lampposts and buildings. The penalty for being caught on camera parking incorrectly will be £100 – or £50 if the fine is paid within 14 days. Cameras used for prevention of crime will not be used for traffic enforcement.

Councillor Vlod Barchuk, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Parking enforcement is not universally popular but the regulations are there to keep roads safe and ensure the free flow of traffic and should be enforced.

“Pedestrian safety is the top priority which is why we have already stepped up CCTV enforcement around schools and next will be enforcing regulations at zebra crossings. However, some regulations are badly understood by motorists so our approach will be to warn before we enforce. We will give motorists advance notice so they have ample opportunity to avoid getting fines.”

February 29, 2008