Labour has been slammed over fresh proposals which could see “spy cameras” rolled out across the UK to monitor car parks across the country.
New plans have been submitted to the Department for Transport that would allow local authorities to install automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, which would allow more drivers to be fined.
Proposals stated that greater enforcement powers were needed in “affluent areas” and in popular tourist areas to crack down on drivers breaking rules.
The plans were obtained by the Conservatives via a Freedom of Information request after Labour ministers “rebuffed” requests to publish them.
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Proposals have been put forward to introduce ‘spy cameras’ at car parks across the country
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Bodies representing councils and the parking industry drew up the plans, which would see CCTV cameras used to monitor off-street parking.
Councils would be able to install ANPR cameras at car parks, although this would require the Government to introduce new legislation.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden told The Telegraph: “Labour is desperate to try and hide the most pernicious details of its shameful war on motorists.
“From slashing road-improvement funding, hiking road use tolls and now drawing up a snoopers charter of CCTV parking enforcement, it is clear Labour is desperately trying to fill the black hole Rachel Reeves has created by squeezing every penny from drivers.”
Parking fines outside of London are capped at £70
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PAThe MP for Basildon and Billericay noted that the previous Conservative Government banned these measures from being introduced.
He added that drivers “should not be facing a phalanx of spy parking cameras” trying to “catch them out” on the road.
Documents from the British Parking Association (BPA) stated that local authorities using ANPR cameras could lead to “greater revenue generation”.
It stated that ANPR-based Autopay is proven to have “increased compliance”, in addition to increasing expenditure in the local economy.
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In the blueprint for the DfT seen by the Tories, documents also pushed for a hike in parking fines.
Councils outside of London can issue a maximum parking fine of £70, with drivers being able to slash this rate by half if they pay within 14 days of it being issued.
Parking fines across London are expected to be hiked in the near future, which would see penalties rise by £30 after receiving a green light from Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Higher-level charges in Band A would increase from £130 to £160, while Band B areas would see a rise from £110 to £140.
The Future Roads Minister said the ANPR plans could be considered
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PAResponding to the blueprint, Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said it deserved “careful consideration”.
The response, which was submitted in February, suggested that the Department for Transport would carry out a “broader review” of penalty charge notices nationally.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We have no plans to introduce higher caps for parking fines.
“We are a Government firmly on the side of drivers and we fully expect councils only to use penalty charge notices as a deterrent for law-breaking – not as a way to raise funds.”