Looks like Epping council are about to make an expensive mistake

[The Bald Eagle]

Not the best piece of research by the reporter, particularly in view of the fact the on the previous two days both the Telegraph and Mail had reported that what Epping council is about to undertake is a big no no and may very well be legislated against if our Eric gets his way.

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CCTV parking patrol cars to be in force by autumn in Epping Forest

Motorists parking in restricted areas will be issued penalties through the post when CCTV cars come into force in autumn.

Epping Forest is one of the six areas in Essex where CCTV cars will roam and register vehicles that are parked in 'keep clear' areas outside schools, rural clearways, bus stops and taxi ranks.

The motorist will not know they have been issued a Penalty Charge Notice until it arrives through the letterbox of the registered owner.

Councillor Gary Waller said: "The feedback we got from town and parish councils is that there is quite a lot of public demand to take tougher action.

 "The objective is to deter illegal and unsafe stopping."

The PCN fines cost £70 (or £35 for early payment) and Equita, the bailiff company, would receive £14 to issue and chase up each ticket.

Mr Waller said that the objective is not to issue as many tickets as possible but the new system will speed up the "slow and labourious process" of relying on civil enforcement officers to issue penalties.

"There is nothing underhanded about it as it will be very well publicised when it is enforced and people will be aware when the cars are around," he continued.

 In June last year, a landmark case ruled that a motorist did not have to pay a £70 penalty issued by Medway Council after being watched by a CCTV car.

The judge said this was because the taxi rank the vehicle stopped in for 63 seconds was signposted "no waiting" rather than "no stopping".

CCTV patrol Smart cars are also used by Westminster, Redbridge, Croydon and Haringey councils.

Dylan Sharpe, Campaign Director of Big Brother Watch, said: "The CCTV Smart car represents a very dangerous escalation in Britain's surveillance society.

"The vehicles are sent out to catch people and make money, with road safety only an afterthought."

A total of 10,648 tickets were issued for on-street parking penalties in Epping Forest between June 2012 and June 2013.

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/10603760.CCTV_parking_patrol_cars_to_be_in_force_by_autumn/

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2387270/Council-CCTV-cameras-bend-law-fleece-drivers-parking-fines.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/10230858/Councils-accused-of-bending-law-on-parking-enforcement.html

[DastardlyDick]

Essex County Council (as the Highway Authority) have divided up Parking Enforcement into two "Partnerships" covering North and South Essex. Epping Forest is in the North one along with 5 other Councils, but the "Lead Council" is Colchester, who do all the admin and process the payments.
There may be some hope for common sense to prevail, as it's all Council run, not contracted out to the likes of NSL, APCOA etc.
The bad news is that Enforcement operates 7 days a week!