CCTV parking enforcement

Local authorities have a duty to tackle dangerous parking and the Traffic Management Act 2004 allows councils to enforce parking contraventions by CCTV Camera for certain types of parking contravention.

The Secretary of State's Guidance to Local Authorities on The Civil Enforcement Of Parking Contraventions states that: 'The primary objective of any camera enforcement system is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the road network by deterring motorists from breaking road traffic restrictions and detecting those that do.'

Newcastle City Council uses a CCTV safety and enforcement vehicle to carry out parking enforcement for a limited number of contraventions. The vehicle supports the existing foot patrols carried out by the Council's Civil Enforcement Officers to help improve road safety by ensuring parking restrictions are complied with. The vehicle is clearly marked to indicate its intended use.

The Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004 recommends that enforcement by a camera vehicle is used only in problem areas where enforcement is difficult or sensitive and 'on-foot' enforcement is not practical. For example on school 'keep clear' areas where motorists, on seeing an Officer approaching, drive off only to return and commit the same offence later.

In Newcastle, the CCTV safety and enforcement vehicle is currently only used to enforce those restrictions where the 'stopping' of a vehicle is not permitted and where abuse creates a significant safety concern.

These are:

• school 'keep clear' zigzag markings
• bus stop clearways
• 24 hour clearways

If a PCN is issued, you will have the same rights of appeal as a Notice issued by a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO). The document you will receive will include photographs as evidence that your vehicle was parked illegally.

There is a legal requirement that all the cameras we use to enforce parking contraventions are certificated by the Secretary of State. We received our certification in May 2012. A copy of the approval letter (304Kb) is available to view from this website.