Motorists across Bury have been fined a combined £50,000 after new parking cameras were switched on along a busy main road.
The penalties were issued over a nine-month period following the introduction of a red route on Walmersley Road, aimed at stopping drivers from parking illegally.
The scheme has now been in place for just over a year and uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to catch vehicles stopping on double red lines at the bottom of the road.
The cameras operate 24 hours a day and automatically record any vehicle that stops where it is not allowed. A parking charge notice is then sent to the registered keeper.
Drivers caught breaking the rules face fines of between £50 and £70, regardless of the time of day. However, those who pay quickly can reduce the charge by half if payment is made within 14 days.
Motorists who believe they have been fined unfairly are able to challenge the penalty through an appeals process, the council detailed.
The red route was pushed through by Bury councillors in the Moorside ward, who said illegal parking had become a serious safety issue.
Councillors Sandra Walmsley, Babar Ibrahim and Ciaron Boles, who make up the Moorside Action Team, led the campaign for tougher enforcement.
Under the rules, no parking is allowed at any time, with offenders issued tickets
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PAThe councillors said vehicles stopping along the road were causing dangers for pedestrians, drivers and emergency services on what is a busy route.
In a joint statement shared on social media, the councillors revealed how much money had been raised since the scheme began.
They said it was “great to see the situation in the area improve significantly from where it was”. The councillors have previously argued that cars parked on the double red lines were blocking visibility, slowing traffic and making it harder for emergency vehicles to get through.
Under the rules of the red route, no parking is allowed at any time. However, the council did nore there are some limited exemptions.
Red routes are put in place to keep roads clear
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GETTYBlue Badge holders and taxi drivers are allowed to stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers. They are not allowed to park or leave their vehicles unattended.
Businesses along Walmersley Road are also affected by the restrictions. Deliveries must be made using designated loading bays, which only operate during certain hours.
These delivery bays are available outside peak times, with the aim of reducing congestion when traffic is at its heaviest. Council officials stated the rules are designed to strike a balance between supporting local businesses and keeping traffic moving safely.
The scheme has also been backed by emergency services, who warned that illegally parked vehicles were previously causing delays and access problems.
The camera has issued £50,000 in fines to drivers
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READING COUNCILSimilar red route systems are already in place in towns and cities across the UK, using double red lines and camera enforcement to keep key roads clear.
Supporters of the scheme explained that the £50,000 figure shows just how widespread the problem had been before enforcement began.
The Moorside councillors said conditions on the road have improved significantly since the cameras were installed, with fewer vehicles stopping illegally.
ANPR cameras continue to monitor the area around the clock, meaning drivers cannot avoid detection by stopping outside certain hours. The council insists the aim of the scheme is safety, not revenue, and said the fines reflect repeated warnings to drivers to obey the rules.