Cameras in Westminster

1. Camera enforcement

To complement the on-street operation of marshals, we use fixed cameras and mobile camera units to encourage compliance with moving traffic regulations.

Cameras are the only means available to deter drivers from carrying out dangerous manoeuvres on Westminster’s roads, improve safety and reduce congestion. These contraventions cannot be enforced by on-street marshals.

As of 1 April 2015, the only parking restrictions the City of Westminster enforces by camera are bus stop clearway and school-keep-clear restrictions.

Camera enforcement penalty charge notices (PCNs)

PCNs issued via camera enforcement are sent by post to the registered keeper of the vehicle and will include a photograph of the alleged contravention being committed.

You can do the following online:

• pay your parking ticket
• challenge your parking ticket if you feel the ticket has been issued incorrectly 
• view camera enforcement PCN footage

Mobile camera units

The primary role of mobile camera units is to complement on-street enforcement by:

• enforcing bus stop clearway and school-keep-clear parking restrictions
• monitoring and carrying out site visits of special enforcement locations (areas under special arrangement as a result of complaints)
• providing coverage when fixed cameras are down

Contraventions enforced by camera

View contraventions enforced by camera in Westminster

Locations of cameras

We currently have fixed cameras at the following locations:

• Cambridge Square / Southwick Street (code 32)
• Carlton Hill / Maida Vale (code 52)
• Clifton Road / Lanark Road (code 50)
• Conduit Street / Saville Row (code 32)
• Devonshire Place Mews / Marylebone High Street (code 50)
• Fernhead Road / Saltram Crescent (code 51)
• Harrow Road / Sutherland Avenue (code 52)
• John Islip Street / Ponsonby Place (code 50)
• John Islip Street / Ponsonby Terrace (code 50)
• Lanark Road / Clifton Road (code 32)
• Piccadilly / Berkeley Street (code 31)
• Shaftesbury Avenue / Gerrard Place (code 50)
• Shaftesbury Avenue / Great Windmill Street / Denman Street (code 32)
• Shirland Road / Saltram Crescent (code 51)
• St George's Drive / Hugh Street (traffic management monitoring purposes only)
• St Martin's Lane / St Martin's Place (code 50)
• Upper Montagu Street / Marylebone Road (code 52)

Mobile camera units may also enforce traffic contraventions.

The list of camera locations has been revised due to the changes to parking enforcement that came into effect in April 2015. For more information on these changes, see Deregulation Act and changes to parking enforcement.

The CCTV Governance Group and the 'Test of Appropriateness'

Locations of cameras used for traffic management purposes in Westminster have been approved by our CCTV Governance Group and have passed a test of appropriateness.

Our CCTV Governance Group acts as a single point of decision-making and accountability in relation to the deployment or removal of our cameras, or the commissioning or decommissioning of camera sites at locations across the borough. It ensures that the use of cameras is consistent, proportionate and coordinated in accordance with a test of appropriateness.

This test ensures that cameras will only be deployed when: 

• there is a clearly identified and evidenced issue of concern in terms of compliance with traffic management regulations at a specific location
• the use of cameras is considered to be the most effective and appropriate intervention to address that issue

The test of appropriateness also requires an exit strategy to be in place before any new deployment is approved such as when cameras are decommissioned as a result of sustained improvements in compliance levels.

2. Mobile camera unit locations

Vehicles mounted with cameras may also enforce traffic contraventions at the locations listed below. Bus stop clearway (code 47) and school-keep-clear (code 48) parking contraventions may also be enforced by mobile cameras city-wide. 

For more information about contraventions, check our list of contravention code descriptions.

3. Contraventions enforced by camera

Only the following contraventions are enforced by cameras in Westminster:

Parking contraventions

As of 1 April 2015, the City of Westminster only enforces bus stop clearway and school-keep-clear parking restrictions by camera.

Moving traffic contraventions