DRIVERS in Enfield have been hit by more than 45,000 parking tickets and fines issued by CCTV cameras in the past 12 months – sparking claims that the technology is being abused.

More than 40 per cent of the 111,414 fines dished out by Enfield Council were generated by drivers caught on camera.
In the 12-month period, 45,626 fines were generated by CCTV.

The council officers have defended the
practice, saying that illegally parked cars are a menace to other road users and can put lives

at risk. But the number of tickets being issued by cameras has raised concerns among motor-ing groups.

Campaigners say the tactic can fail to detect underlying reasons for contraventions and is unfair as it makes it harder for drivers to appeal.

The fines have been dubbed “ghost tickets” by the AA because motorists are often unaware of the offence until some time afterwards.

Parking infringements are spotted in real time by CCTV operators who then review the footage on tape to verify the offence.

The borough now has 22 static cameras, with an additional mobile camera used to monitor parking around school entrances. Last year this camera alone snared 7,770 drivers.

Daniel Cukier, Enfield spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, said: “It’s very much a concern. At least with a normal ticket you can take photographs of where you were at the time to establish if the ticket was issued correctly.

“I think when it is used outside schools that is perfectly acceptable, because clearly there is a safety issue. It’s when they are used at midnight on an A-road that, it seems to us, the cameras are not being used for the purpose for which they were intended – curbing anti-social behaviour and preventing crime.”
But Terry Neville, cabinet member for environment, defended the use of cameras.

He said: “Wardens cannot be everywhere and cameras help us in our drive to keep Enfield moving. Whether it is by a camera or a traffic warden is immaterial. There are clear signs informing drivers of parking restrictions.”

Gary Barnes, assistant director of environment, added: “Enfield has the best record in London on defending appeals. Any surplus funds from parking fines help pay for improving roads and pavements and also fund the Freedom Pass.”