Permanent use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition vehicle to improve parking enforcement
A high-tech vehicle used to improve parking enforcement in St Albans District has greatly boosted productivity, a report has revealed.
Now Councillors have agreed to purchase an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) car for permanent use after a successful 15-month trial.
The spotter vehicle has been operating in the District since March last year, scanning the number plates of cars parked in areas with restrictions.
An instant, real-time check can be made to see if a parked car has the required permit or ticket and alerts a Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) to any infringements.
The CEO can then issue a Fixed Penalty Notice Fine on an offending vehicle to deter other motorists from also parking illegally.
A report on the outcome of the trial was given to a meeting of the Public Realm Committee of St Albans City and District Council on Thursday 11 June.
Councillors were told the ANPR vehicle allowed the parking enforcement team to monitor 690 locations around the District every day.
That was a 60% increase on the previous figure and the equivalent of having an extra four CEOs on patrol.
The presence of the highly visible vehicle, emblazoned with ANPR markings, on the District’s streets was also likely to deter motorists from breaking the rules.
An increase in compliance improves road safety, particularly around junctions, crossings and high‑demand areas where inconsiderate parking can obstruct visibility or pedestrians.
During the trial, only two complaints were received from residents and both had misunderstood the purpose of the vehicle.
The Committee agreed to the report’s recommendation to permanently lease one of the electric vehicles by a procurement process at a cost of around £35,000 a year and the purchase of an additional £4,600 charger.
Councillor Helen Campbell, the Committee’s Chair and Lead for Parking, said after the meeting:
The Committee was impressed by how the ANPR vehicle has greatly improved the efficiency and productivity of parking enforcement.
The vehicle has become a well-known sight across the District and a reassurance to residents that Controlled Parking Zones and on-street parking bays are being closely monitored.
The vast majority of motorists park legally, but unfortunately a tiny minority fail to comply with the rules and even park in a way that endangers the safety of others.
There are good safety and environmental reasons for parking restrictions and the ANPR vehicle is helping us to deter people from breaking the rules. It is a real game changer.
Having the vehicle on permanent patrol will help our parking team better manage the limited amount of kerb space there is in busy areas. Our residents often ask my fellow Councillors and me for tougher enforcement – this initiative shows we have listened and acted.
Media Contacts: www.stalbans.gov.uk/news-and-whats.