Councils in England could be banned from using CCTV cameras and "spy cars" to impose parking fines on motorists under new government proposals. Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has said he wants to curb "overzealous" local authorities.
So-called 'spy cars' are used by councils to catch illegal parking could soon be banned in England.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles says local authorities are misusing the vehicles "a great casino for local authorities to get some more money."
But councils claim they keep traffic moving and improve road safety.
ITV News correspondent Damon Green found one such "spy car" parked in a loading bay:
The government is looking at banning councils in England from using CCTV cameras and "spy cars" to catch people who are parking illegally.
We asked ITV News' Facebook followers what they thought of the results, and here is a few of their views:
– JOHN SHAWIt's another way to make money. Fines for everything these days. You can even get a fine if you don't park properly in a car park you've paid to park in.
It's all gone too far.
– STEVE CLARKEAbout time, councils have too much power to fine motorists extortionate amounts for parking infringements.
– Yusef BougrineGood, I am happy if they ban it!!
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles told ITV Daybreak that motorists should have a fair deal on parking, and "not find themselves in a situation where that they're worried all the time that if they're a few minutes late they will have a whacking great fine."
He added that the current five minute grace period for parking "should be extended to 15 minutes."
One in four local authorities in England have permission to use CCTV or "approved devices" for parking enforcement, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The Department for Transport says CCTV should be used only when it is impractical to use traffic wardens.
Councils' use of parking spy cameras are a "step too far", said Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles, who has proposed the practice should be banned.
Mr Pickles told the Daily Telegraph:
We want to rein in these overzealous and unfair rules on parking enforcement, so it focuses on supporting high streets and motorists, not raising money.
Parking spy cameras 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 officers.
Councils in England could be banned from using CCTV cameras and "spy cars" to impose parking fines on motorists under new government proposals.
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has said he wants to curb "overzealous" local authorities which use cameras to maximise their income from parking fines.
He warned that public support for CCTV could be undermined if people believed they were being used to generate revenue rather than preventing crime.
A government consultation paper will suggest amending legislation underpinning the Traffic Management Act 2004 to outlaw the practice.