The Bedford Borough Conservative Group has welcomed the Conservative Minister for Local Government Eric Pickles’ intention to severely curtail the activities of the Liberal Democrats’ camera vans throughout Bedford.
Last week Mr Pickles announced that the use of CCTV for the ‘vast majority’ of parking enforcement activities will be banned. Under the new plans, which are likely to come into force later this year, councils will still be allowed to use CCTV for parking enforcement outside schools and at other vital spots.
Conservative Cllr Roger Rigby said:
‘The vainglorious attempt by Mayor Dave Hodgson to increase profits from the Council's CCTV spy cars has been a financial disaster. It has also caused real harm to town centre businesses such as restaurants and takeaways because of customer uncertainty over safe parking even late at night.
‘The Liberal Democrats imposed a period of financial madness on Bedford with the vans losing £377 a day meaning they needed to target more and more motorists by operating day and night.
‘We welcome the fact that schools and crossings will be protected but that unwary motorists parking in the evening sometimes very briefly and not causing traffic congestion should no longer be targeted.
‘We support properly managed parking and that means in most cases a ticket should be handed out by a parking officer who is able to judge the facts for themselves rather than through an automatic camera that cannot judge the appropriateness of a ticket.’