Cameras – and signs – up without ‘say-so’
CALLS have been made for parking fines to be suspended after a councillor revealed that signs and cameras had been installed without planning permission.
It comes after cameras using autmoatic number plate recognition were installed to enforce parking restrictions at Brookside Retirement Living village in Ormskirk.
But Skelmersdale North Councillor Neil Furey says he has reported a breach of planning restrictions to West Lancashire Borough Council as permission was not sought for the new signs.
He previously raised similar concerns about systems installed by Parking Eye at the car parks at Skelmersdale’s Concourse Shopping Centre and Ringtail Retail Park.
In both of those cases, planning permission was then sought after the installations and Parking Eye say they intend to do the same at Brookside.
Cllr Furey said: “I expect people will be concerned to learn that Parking Eye is at it again.
‘‘They didn’t bother to obtain planning permission from West Lancashire Borough Council for its 11 signs advertising car parking restrictions at this site.
“This is absolutely typical of the enforcement industry and particularly Parking Eye. Who simply cannot wait to target motorists with their £100.00 Parking Charge Notices.
“Not only have the 11 signs been erected without planning permission the advertised car parking restrictions are inaccurate. This is because a 20 minute period has been allocated by Your Housing Group for vehicles ‘dropping off’ or delivering at the site.
“There is no mention of this arrangement on the Parking Eye signage.” He added: “I will be calling for ANPR car parking enforcement to be suspended immediately at Brookside Retirement Living Scheme. In addition I will calling for Parking Eye to refund any parking fines issued to motorists without delay.”
Andy Hodson, service manager at Your Housing Group, said: “Residents requested a parking company to monitor the private car park at Brookside due to not being able to park at their own home as members of the public were using the car park.
“We will ensure Parking Eye has all appropriate permissions and correct signage is in place.”
When contacted by the Advertiser, a spokesman for Parking Eye said that the company was yet to receive any formal notification but “will be proactively speaking to the council regarding this matter”.