Spy cars help clock up £700k in parking fines across Sandwell
CCTV cars caught nearly 3,000 motorists parking illegally around Sandwell during one year, helping raise £704,041 in fines.
The two traffic-busting vehicles – introduced in 2014 – only patrol roads outside schools along red routes and near bus stops, said the council.
Their footage led to 2,798 tickets, costing up to £70 each, being handed out to drivers for illegal parking.
Combined with tickets dished out by council wardens a total of 30,316 were given out by the borough council over 2017/18.
It is the equivalent of more than 80 a day, bringing in £704,041 for the authority.
The vehicles capture illegal parking on camera and the vehicle’s registration plate before a penalty notice is sent out by post.
‘Clearly marked’
A council spokesman said the vehicles are ‘clearly marked’.
He added: “Sandwell is at the centre of the West Midlands traffic network, so it’s vital we do all we can to help keep traffic flowing around the region.”
All money raised through the fines are used to maintaining and improving roads and car parks in the borough.
These roads clocked up the most fines
The street which saw the most parking fines issued by wardens was High Street in West Bromwich with 2,402, followed by High Street in Smethwick with 2,209.
Little Lane in west Bromwich saw 1,614 fines, while Bearwood Road in Smethwick saw 1,255.
There were 512 fines given out at West Bromwich multi storey car park and 449 at Pavilion car park in Lodge Hill Road, West Bromwich.
The council spokesman said: “Parking management is essential for road safety and keeping our roads moving as unfortunately some motorists continue to park illegally and irresponsibly, causing traffic jams and delays to journeys and putting people’s safety at risk.
“It helps to improve journey times, ensure buses run smoothly and makes our streets safer, including children outside schools.”
