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Bad parking to be targeted by new cameras
Councillor Ian Auckland
PLANS to bring in mobile cameras to police bus lane and parking restrictions in Sheffield have been approved.
A decision on whether to bring in the devices was delayed pending discussion of concerns about the proposals at a meeting of a Sheffield Council scrutiny committee.
However, after the debate, ruling Labour members voted to press ahead with the idea.
WHAT DO YOU THINK: What do you think about the introduction of mobile cameras? Leave a comment below or email: letters@thestar.co.uk.
Opposition Lib Dem members raised queries about the scheme during the meeting of the economic and environmental wellbeing scrutiny committee.
Under questioning, council officers admitted there was no firm evidence camera enforcement would relieve congestion. But use of cameras would mean they could fine offending motorists who drive off after spotting a warden.
Lib Dems also voiced concerns that in one London borough, cars fitted with mobile cameras to monitor parking rule violations – similar to the ones that will operate in Sheffield – handed out 18,000 fines incorrectly, before the council took them off the road amid protests from local people.
Coun Ian Auckland, shadow cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I’m disappointed the people of Sheffield can now expect to see spy cars patrolling our streets doling out tickets.
“This will be yet another unfair Sheffield Labour transport policy.
“While we don’t oppose penalising those who flout the rules, we believe action should be based on addressing traffic issues, rather than on purely making as much profit from motorists as possible.”
The mobile parking enforcement cameras will cost £124,000 to introduce, but it is estimated each would catch up to 20 offenders a day, resulting in £160,000 income from fines for the council.
And because that would free up more wardens to patrol the streets, more motorists would be caught, generating a further £24,000 in fines.
And council officers say the proposed new portable camera for bus gates would generate about £80,000 in fines from drivers ignoring restrictions, bringing the total potential income to £264,000 a year.
Kevan Butt, council parking services manager, said: “Enforcement of parking contraventions using mobile cameras will enhance the effectiveness of enforcement.
“More effective enforcement will improve safety around schools, make bus stops more accessible and reduce traffic congestion.”
Sheffield Council’s ruling Labour group accused Lib Dems of ‘hypocrisy’ because they brought in bus lane cameras at locations including Glossop Road while in power between 2008 and last year.
Coun Leigh Bramall, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “This is blatant opportunism from the Lib Dems yet again.
“Only nine months ago, when they still controlled the council, they used cameras to enforce these rules, so this policy is not new at all.”
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Comments
There are 25 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Los Blancos Galactico Rossoneri Mancunian
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 02:47 PMserendpity Fining motorists for getting into correct lane! Like on Spital Hill and Saville Street! Both are busy A Roads and can do with some lane improvements or changes to bus lanes!
serendipity
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:03 PMIf they're really concerned about bad parking, they need to focus on the selfish, arrogant prats who park their cars on the pavements, completely blocking them to pedestrians, including women pushing prams and baby buggies. Fining people for getting into a bus lane a little too early when there are no buses in sight is ridiculous.
Reason
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 04:10 PMIt has nothing to do with congestion...it is all about revenue collection and is the thin end of the wedge to starting congestion charges. I'd like to see how this system is going to stop the grid lock at the West bar roundabout every single evening...ignorant drivers, ridiculous road markings and lack of lights to control traffic onto the roundabout are all to blame.
sheffield12
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:36 PMAnyone who breaks the law or highway code deserves to be punished. It is there for reason! Its about time Sheffield started cracking down on all those who don't abide to the law or the highway code.
DexterMorgan
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:28 PMGeri, if I believed for 1 minute that any extra revenue raised from this venture would mean paying less tax, then I would support it. Instead it will mean more corduroy clad plonkers keeping their jobs at our expense.
Gerimo
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 08:44 AMIt's only a tax on the bad drivers,these are the same ones that use their mobiles,speed,pull out in front of you,don't signal & think their time is more important than yours.The more tax they pay the better,that means I pay less.
Los Blancos Galactico Rossoneri Mancunian
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:02 PMMobile cameras outside Schools please! I disgree with bus lanes cameras! If you are travelling down Spital Hill and wanting to get onto Parkway, you have to be in the lane which is for turning right only not for going straight then delay other motorists that are wanting to turn right by signalling left and wait for someone to let you in! Where as you can just use the bus lane and motorists can turn right without being delay! The bus lane should end just after bus stop!
STEELFINGER
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:43 PMGovrnment or local authority needing cash?? Just find a way to pass the bill to the motorist. We pay the most towards public funds. The new spy system is just a fund raising exercise, and sneaky at that.
fastdog
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:36 PMI hope they mobilise the cameras onto Mawfa Avenue where several selfish car owners totally block the pavements by parking with all 4 wheels on the footpath, funny how you're not allowed to leave a wheely bin out as it causes an obstruction but parked cars don't!
andyh1
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 05:25 PMabout time, especially outside kebab shops ( top and bottom of london rd and firvale) no respect for the law what so ever,
1graybags
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 05:18 PMstick the cameras where or muslim friends pray and shop, they seem to be a law unto themselves regarding parking ....... and other things
PaulSheffield
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:44 PMJust think of all the women this will catch that can't park properly !!!
Woodseats Sammy
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 04:43 PMBottom of London Rd (opposite Sainsburys). Just park where you want. Or do U-turns.
Zap
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 03:58 PMMy worry is the budget projections suggest that they are dependent on people getting caught again and again - the revenue stream will dry up once people have been caught once surely. Its typical of both the big parties in the city - motorists are an easy revenue stream - will council vehicles, police vehicles etc who also get caught be forced to pay also - I think not.
crystalpeaksman
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 03:54 PMPark correctly and you wont have anything to worry about,and I agree with post 6 put the cameras outside the city Schools and not to forget the illegal parking round the mosque on a friday.
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