Westminster publishes moving images of CCTV parking fines online (06/11/2006)

Westminster City Council has today [Monday 9th October] officially launched a new service that allows drivers who have received a parking ticket issued by a CCTV camera to view the video footage online.

Motorists will now be able to go online and view video evidence of driving in bus lanes and other moving traffic offences.

This scheme is an enhancement to the existing service to view still photographs relating to their Penalty Charge Notice (PCNs).

Councillor Danny Chalkley, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Transport at Westminster Council said: ‘We have introduced this measure to improve customer confidence in parking enforcement.

‘We believe this open and transparent initiative will contribute to a reduction in the number of challenges of tickets the Council receive in the long term.

‘Our pilot scheme proved that CCTV is reliable and cost-effective. CCTV cameras mean better quality tickets. Those people who feel aggrieved at receiving their parking ticket through the post will be able to see the evidence online and decide whether to make an appeal.

‘The launch of this service is yet another enlightened parking measure introduced by Westminster to keep traffic moving in the heart of London. Westminster therefore remains the blueprint Council in parking enforcement that continues to improve and be firm, fair and excellent.’

-ENDS-

Notes for Editors: For further information please contact Andrew Hadfield on 0207 641 2259 or email ahadfield@westminster.gov.uk

For an real life example please follow the link below and simply type in the Parking ticket (PCN) reference number and vehicle registration plate: http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/pcnimages/ PCN Ref: WM18311958 VRN: LD04WMV.

Simply click on the Windows Media Player and download. N.B. IF YOU ARE USING THIS FOR PUBLICATION YOU MUST BLUR THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER.

Westminster has been completely open and transparent about our new CCTV scheme. When launching the scheme Westminster undertook a high profile advertising and marketing campaign to warn motorists.

We also issued warning notices over the first three weeks to motorists instead of giving out the normal parking tickets.