A smart car fitted with a CCTV camera used by Bolton Council has been under fire because of the large amount of parking fines issued in the last 12 months.
Almost 4,000 tickets have been issued, which equates to more than 10 fines a day at £70 each. The large amount of fines that have been generated is due to a car being driven around by officers and when people are seen parking illegally, issuing them with a parking ticket.
In one case a Parking Campaigner from the local area said that he had witnessed the vehicle being used to spot motorists using a local cash point, but Barry Moss commented that the car should be being utilised to police areas that are not easily accessible for traffic enforcement officers on foot. Since the car has been used by the council it has issued 392 parking fines in Market Street where the cash point Barry mentioned is located alone, angering local drivers.
Since being in operation the car has issued 3,930 fines, the car itself cost the local council around £50,000 which is fitted with CCTV technology to reduce the amount of illegal parking and dangerous obstructions caused by inconsiderate drivers. In its first five months the car had nearly paid for itself by racking up a staggering £40,000 in fines.
Executive member for environmental services, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said,
“The Smart car was introduced as a result of complaints from the public, businesses and bus companies, about obstructions in the highway.”
He also stated that the car wasn’t just a money spinner and is only used when needed because complaints are received.