Leicester City Council's new CCTV enforcement car has issued more than 5,000 fixed penalty notices to drivers parking illegally since it was introduced on 1 April. The vehicle, equipped with a number plate recognition camera, has been monitoring red routes, zigzag markings outside schools, and bus stop clearways across the city.
Between 1 April and the end of July, the council issued 5,229 fixed penalty notices to drivers caught by the camera car. Each notice carries a £70 fine. The authority said it is now in the process of procuring a second vehicle.
How the enforcement car works
The enforcement vehicle uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to detect parking violations. It has been deployed on red route corridors around the inner-city centre, as well as on school keep clear markings and bus stop clearways.
According to a council spokesperson, the new car has made local roads "noticeably safer and more compliant," particularly on red routes around the inner-city centre. The spokesperson added that the existing car has been "an efficient tool directly helping us tackle illegal parking across the city."
Impact on road safety
The council says the CCTV car can monitor and enforce moving parking offences on red routes, zigzag markings on school streets, and bus stop clearways where illegal parking can put the safety of others at risk and cause unnecessary congestion.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: "In its first four weeks, the CCTV enforcement car has caught hundreds of motorists flouting parking rules. They will now face a fine, but more importantly receive a strong message that illegal and dangerous parking will not go unpunished."
Deterrent effect and future plans
Whittle noted that camera enforcement and fines can be a very effective deterrent. The council is sending the CCTV car to areas with persistent illegal parking issues where no fixed camera enforcement currently exists.
"Councils have a duty to tackle dangerous and illegal parking. We are confident that the new CCTV enforcement will be an effective tool to clamp down on dangerous and inconsiderate parking, especially in areas where there are lots of children and busy traffic," he said.
The city council is now procuring a second CCTV enforcement vehicle, which will expand the coverage of the scheme. The fixed penalty notices issued so far have targeted drivers on red routes, school zigzag markings, and bus stop clearways across Leicester.
