CCTV car to tackle careless and dangerous parking

Leicester City Council is to deploy a new CCTV car to try to tackle illegal parking.

The enforcement vehicle is due to take to the streets early in the new year and would be used to issue £70 penalties to drivers flouting restrictions.

The authority said the move had been prompted by regular complaints from residents about inconsiderate, careless and dangerous parking - particularly outside schools and in bus lanes and stops.

The car will cost £57,000 to buy and equip, and the council said it would be funded from the income it generates from penalties.

A Leicester City Council spokesperson said: "By enforcing existing parking restrictions, we want to get the message across that parking without any regard for others, especially in areas where there are lots of children and vehicles, just isn't acceptable.

"As part of this, we will be introducing a new CCTV-equipped enforcement car to help tackle illegal parking in areas where there are persistent problems but no fixed camera enforcement.

"The new camera enforcement car will be used to address illegal parking on zigzag markings on school streets, red routes and bus stop clearways, where motorists are putting the safety of others at risk and causing unnecessary congestion."

The council previously used a similar vehicle, which it leased from Nottingham City Council between August and December in 2019.

It patrolled city streets, enforcing double yellow lines and school gate restrictions, which resulted in more than 100 fines being issued to drivers.

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