Smart! Spy car that can break the law

- 04 February 2010

TOWN Hall chiefs have been accused of "breaking their own rules" after a CCTV spy car targeted motorists - while parked on a yellow line.

The Smart vehicle designed to catch out offending drivers has been seen on a yellow in Johnston Road, Woodford Green, photographing vehicles illegally turning right into High Road.

Shaun Turner, 44, who works in the area, said: "I have seen it parked there twice, so the last time, I tapped on the window to find out why. But the woman in the car abruptly told me that they are exempt."

Under current law, such vehicles are allowed to park in that way when there is no other safe option.

But Mr Turner feels it's a case of double standards.

He said: "It's extremely sneaky. It's just another way of taking a £60 fine off people. I don't mind cameras outside schools, but this one is just there for revenue and to make people's lives a misery."

Mr Turner contacted Redbridge Council to find out if fines issued while the car was on the yellow line would be declared void, but said he was told traffic restrictions don't apply to enforcement vehicles.

"It's unfair," he added. "If I see anyone about to turn right into High Road, I try to tell them."

Dylan Sharpe, from anti-CCTV campaign group Big Brother Watch, said: "People in Woodford Green are right to be angry. These CCTV cars are designed for one purpose: Accumulating money for the council. It's bad enough that they drive around actively seeking people to fine, now they're breaking their own rules."

A council spokesman said: "Our parking enforcement contractor uses this concession only when there is no suitable alternative unrestricted location where the vehicle can be parked."

The mobile traffic warden, launched in the summer, enforces up to 20 different road violations.

It costs £15,000-a-year to run and operates across Redbridge from Monday to Saturday, 8am-6.30pm.

? What do you think? Should the council's CCTV car be exempt from parking restrictions? Email us at news desk@ilfordrecorder.co.uk