Agenda item
Petition - CCTV parking and traffic enforcement at Willesden Green
This report informs the Committee of a petition, in respect of the use of CCTV cameras for the purpose of enforcing parking regulations.
Decision:
(i) That the content of the petitions, set out in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.4, and the issues raised within be noted.
(ii) That the Committee note that the use of CCTV for the purpose of enforcing parking contraventions in High Road, Willesden Green is appropriate, and that cameras are not being misused, as established through the investigations within this report.
(iii) That the main petitioner be informed of the outcome of the Highways Committee report in respect of this matter;
(iv) That officers review existing restrictions in the locality and opportunities for additional parking and loading facilities, with due consideration for road safety and traffic congestion;
(v) That officers check existing signage and road markings, and consider whether any additional signage is necessary.
Minutes:
Mr Tony Antonio MBE, Chair of Willesden Green Traders Association (the Association) addressed the Committee. On behalf of the Association, he alleged that CCTV cameras based by Scout House on the High Road Willesden and at the junction of High Road Dudden Hill Lane were being misused. He continued that the traders believed that the cameras were installed for crime prevention purposes but were now being used for parking offences. Mr Antoniou MBE added that their suppliers and customers were receiving an increased volume of penalty charge notices (PCN) when parking, resulting in loss of shoppers and increasingly damaging businesses on the Willesden High Road which were already badly suffering due to recession. He therefore requested that the CCTV cameras be used for crime prevention purposes only and not for parking.
Mr Kalyan Patel (local resident) also addressed the Committee. He echoed the views expressed on behalf of the traders association adding that all PCNs issued to shoppers to the High Road be withdrawn. Mr Patel also requested a 15 to 20 minute free parking for shoppers except during the busy hours of 08.30 – 09.30pm and 4.30 – 7.00pm after which times traffic enforcement could take place.
Both Mr Antoniou MBE and Mr Kalyan Patel were thanked for their addresses.
Michael Read (Operational Director, Environment and Neighbourhood) introduced the report. He stated the Council used a variety of methods to bring about parking and traffic compliance in the borough, including Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) deployment, removal truck deployment, mobile CCTV deployment, and CCTV officer deployment (located in the Council’s CCTV Enforcement Room in the Civic Centre). Whilst consultation was undertaken prior to the introduction of the CPZ, there was no statutory requirement for the Council to consult on the use of CCTV or signage at any specific location. He emphasised that the principal use of the cameras was for prevention of crime and public safety and that the process of parking and traffic enforcement was secondary.
The Operational Director continued that parking restrictions in the High Road were designed to keep the traffic, including buses, flowing on a busy main road and to protect vulnerable pedestrians from being forced into the road by parking on the footway. 62% of the offences detected by these two cameras were for parking on yellow lines and 36% were for parking on the footway. He added that the intention was to get motorists to behave responsibly, not to raise cash. He then outlined some of the measures put in place to assist shoppers and local trade which included visitor parking bays and since last year, a low cost short stay tariff (20p for 15 minutes) to help people who wanted to stop for a “drop-in” transaction.
Councillor Tom Miller (ward member) stated that it was good practice to consult with the traders and raise awareness by considering additional signage in the High Road. Councillor Miller also requested a period of grace to allow motorists to park.
Councillor Hirani (ward member) echoed the views expressed by Councillor Miller adding that the grace period could be introduced except for rush hour traffic hours.
During the ensuing discussion, members welcomed the fact that the primary and principal purpose of the CCTV camera was for crime prevention and that traffic enforcement was of a secondary significance. Although they accepted that the threat of a CCTV camera was more effective as an enforcement tool to maintain the free flow of vehicles and counter the growing problem of fly tipping, they enquired as to whether officers could explore the possibility of additional signage.
In response, officers stated that whilst they could consider measures for additional signage, they felt that the introduction of parking grace period for specific locations could result in ambiguity for both parking enforcement officers and the general public and possibly parking displacement. Members heard that as Transport for London (TfL) would be keen to ensure that the free flow of buses on the High Road was not impeded, they would resist any attempts which would result in obstructive parking to the detriment of their services.
In bringing the discussion to an end, the Chair reiterated that the CCTV cameras were being used for legitimate purposes and that the principal aim was for community safety with traffic enforcement being of a secondary significance. Members also heard that Councillor Mashari (lead member for Employment and Skills) would be meeting with the business community to discuss support for them.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that the content of the petitions, set out in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.4, and the issues raised within it be noted;
(ii) that it be noted that the use of CCTV for the purpose of enforcing parking contraventions in High Road, Willesden Green is appropriate, and that cameras were not being misused, as established through the investigations within the report;
(iii) that the main petitioner be informed of the outcome of the Highways Committee report in respect of this matter;
(iv) that officers review existing restrictions in the locality and opportunities for additional parking and loading facilities, with due consideration for road safety and traffic congestion;
(v) that officers check existing signage and road markings, and consider whether any additional signage is necessary.
Supporting documents:
- HighwaysPetition CCTV parking and traffic enforcement at WG v5, item 6. PDF 226 KB
- TO 12 145 Plan, item 6. PDF 1 MB