Westminster City Council today welcomes a clear and detailed judgment from the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service (PaTAS) that provides helpful guidance to motorists and other adjudicators alike in the proper approach to the city council’s evidence of parking contraventions captured by CCTV cameras.

Following a consolidated review before a panel of three adjudicators on May 23, PaTAS confirmed that the whole of the city council’s CCTV system for parking enforcement is certified by the Secretary of State, which was the main extent of concern.

The service also confirmed that the specifics of the system, or challenges, to the certification itself (including camera specifications), or the format of the certificate is not a valid basis for an appeal.

Leith Penny, strategic director for city management, said: “We have always maintained that our CCTV system is fully compliant with all regulatory requirements, and are pleased that this position has been so categorically endorsed by this judgement”.

“Far too much of both PaTAS’s and the council’s time has been taken up by self-styled campaigners who seem more concerned with advancing their own agendas rather than the interests of their clients.  This decision draws welcome attention to some dubious practices, and the risk of cases being brought before PaTAS in an ill-informed, vexatious or unreasonable manner, which could damage the interests of the very motorists the campaigners claim to represent.”

“We welcome this decision and will continue to focus on a firm but fair approach to parking. The principle will always be the same – drivers who park illegally put other road users and pedestrian’s lives at risk and also contribute to increasing congestion in the centre of London.”

To see the decisions on cases 2110534297 and 2110325661 in full, please visit the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service's website. 

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