Parking stories in the News/media

Coupon-mad

And another Council bunging in ANPR cameras but this is in Wales.

Looks like this is deemed to be land covered by the Countryside Act and therefore (oddly) private land.

Hence they can use F1rst Parking and camera surveillance (like in Kent Country Parks).

A number of articles have raised concerns:

Beauty spot parking charge hike 'daylight robbery' critics say

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/news-opinion/beauty-spot-parking-charge-hike-33577662.amp

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/brutal-price-hikes-popular-attractions-33567080.amp

Some argued the policy conveys the wrong signal regarding tourism.

One reader, Cooperman1927 asks: "Doesn't Wales like tourism?"

While Eternalchamp adds: "Scandalous! Absolute daylight robbery!"

Borntobemild writes: "At those prices, visitors are likely to get 'creative' about where they park."

Steamnut believes: "That's one sure way to keep the visitor numbers down. Unusually, I agree with DP's use of the word 'brutal'. I foresee lots of 'tales of woe' where parking apps have failed, or people have been incorrectly charged."

Chucker suggests: "Can't hear local councillors shouting about the charges. Maybe they agree to fleecing holiday makers. Then they complain tourism is down and blame everything else except themselves."

Anne Tunney feels: "This does nothing to encourage visitors to come, who in turn support the community by spending on attractions, shops, restaurants, to name but a few."

Wildster Man thinks: "All part of the war on the tourist economy, which is worth £300million to the Anglesey economy alone. Driving away tourists, making holiday lets untenable to run, will only add to the downturn."

The second article says:

"A new parking system is being introduced at a popular forest attraction in Gwynedd. Barrierless entry at Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau will see a sharp rise in prices with all-day parking soaring from £7 to £12.

The system will utilise automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to monitor traffic at the site, renowned for its mountain biking trails. Installation will take place during the week starting March 16, with the new system going live on March 30.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is also introducing the same parking system at another of its sites – Bwlch Nant yr Arian near Aberystwyth. Famed for its red kite feeding, all-day prices here face an even bigger rise, from £5 to £12.

Neil Stoddart, NRW’s head of sustainable commercial development, said: “As well as providing a better service to visitors, the new system will provide CCTV. This will assist with reporting and investigating anti-social behaviour, and will allow us to monitor and issue Penalty Charge Notices for those parking overnight in our car parks."

No it won't.

F1rst Parking can't issue Penalties.

"Overnight parking is not allowed at any NRW site. The environment body has warned it will clamp down on breaches, with culprits liable to fines."

No. F1rst Parking can't issue fines and ANPR won't notice vehicles parking longer than 24 hours.

"Blue Badge holders will continue to be able to park free of charge. Residents eligible for free parking will still be able to access the sites without charge."

Errr…how?

Remote camera surveillance doesn't allow that, except if they burden disabled people with an unexpected obligation to somehow know to 'register' their Blue Badge on every visit.

And how will they 'exempt' residents who could be in any vehicle? Impossible without burdening those people with some unworkable permit system designed for a % of motorists to do it wrong.

After all, how else will F1rst Parking make money, given they and their ilk run ruin such sites effectively like a protection racket…

Coupon-mad

Another ruined retail and gym car park:

https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/2026/03/08/change-at-burntwood-car-park-means-drivers-will-need-to-register-vehicles/

"The car park behind McDonald’s in the town has introduced an ANPR system.

It means visitors will need to register their vehicle in either the Snap Fitness gym, Costa, Pasha or the St Giles Hospice charity shop in order to get three hours free parking."

But look at the comments; this is unnecessary & will drive people away:

So that's businesses including charity shops now boycotted.

Dunno which PPC is infesting there but it'll likely be a BPA AOS camera operator.

The BPA must be so proud.

Coupon-mad

Hmmmmm now this plan does look to be in breach of the Deregulation Act 2015 but I suspect it's a journalist error:

https://www.bucksherald.co.uk/business/new-car-surveillance-technology-coming-to-aylesbury-car-parks-after-council-deal-5629879

Now, APCOA do work for Councils missing actual penalty charge notices under the Traffic Management Act. Fine, on street and in car parks as long as PCNs are affixed to windscreens.

However, the use of camera cars for penalty issuance isn't allowed off-street.

Their use is restricted to 'sensitive' street areas like school zigzags. They cannot be deployed by Councils in car parks.

Yet the article says:

New car surveillance technology coming to Aylesbury car parks after council deal

Bucks Council has announced plans to introduce new surveillance technology in its car parks after striking a new business deal.

"In the deal, which lasts for seven years, the company will deploy civil enforcement officers to check people are parking in safe and sustainable ways.

As well as ANPR-equipped vehicles, the company will use unattended CCTV to track activity.  Bucks Council confirmed it will remain in charge of car park maintenance. It also revealed that APCOA officers will be transporting between sites using electric cars, e-mopeds and ANPR machines."

"Transporting between sites using ANPR machines" … What?!

"Bucks Council says the new company has prepared a mobilisation plan as part of the traffic management roll out. The new service is set to go live on June 1. Kim Challis, regional managing director at APCOA UK, said: "By combining experienced officers with smart technology, we look forward to supporting safer, more accessible streets for residents, businesses and visitors.”

But this article isn't about streets! The article describes a (reportedly) illegal deal to deploy camera cars in Aylesbury car parks.

Either the press has it wrong or the Council does.

Maybe the journalist's error because this suggests it's on-street enforcement:

https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/80455/buckinghamshire-hires-apcoa-as-parking-enforcement-provider

"APCOA replaces previous parking enforcement contractor NSL Services."

Castle

With regards to BPAM:-

Last July/August BPAM was the trading name of Bridge Security Ltd, (which was in liquidation) and banned from DVLA access.

Now, according to their website, BPAM is the trading name of Bridge Security Solutions Ltd, a BPA member.

(Whether the signs/paperwork have been changed is another question).

cooldude255220

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81923365#Comment_81923365

@Coupon-mad

Can you elaborate on what the alleged breach is here please?

I suspect the Council may be using ANPR not in the sense of it automatically issuing tickets, but in the sense of it will flag vehicles which have overstayed/not paid. The APCOA officer will then be able to check the system and manually issue a ticket in-person. If so, I can't see what would prohibit this.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-12-02/17350

Local Authorities are allowed to use ANPR and associated recording equipment for enforcing both on and off-street parking contraventions. However, the use of ANPR by Local Authorities as the sole means for enforcing parking contraventions is forbidden under the Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA) Regulations. This means that whilst local authorities can use ANPR, they cannot issue penalty charge notices via post following the detection of a parking contravention by ANPR in all but a very limited number of exceptions. Such exceptions include if the motorist drives away before the ticket can be issued, and certain on-street circumstances relating to bus lanes and red routes.

The rationale behind this restriction of ANPR usage is to make non-compliant motorists aware at the time that they have contravened a parking regulation. There are currently no plans to revise the TMA.

Coupon-mad

"I suspect the Council may be using ANPR not in the sense of it automatically issuing tickets, but in the sense of it will flag vehicles which have overstayed/not paid. The APCOA officer will then be able to check the system and manually issue a ticket in-person. If so, I can't see what would prohibit this."

I agree.

The breach would be if they use camera cars in non-sensitive roads or in car parks, which is what the first article said, or using any camera to issue a PCN by post.

cooldude255220

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81923841#Comment_81923841

Sorry, I guess the specific bit I'm asking about is what prohibits the use of camera cars in car parks?

Coupon-mad

I think it's here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-enforcement-of-parking-contraventions/guidance-for-local-authorities-on-enforcing-parking-restrictions#enforcement-using-approved-devices

Enforcement using approved devices

"Traffic Management Act 2004 Regulations give limited powers to authorities throughout England to issue PCNs for contraventions detected solely with a camera and associated recording equipment (approved device).

The Secretary of State must [footnote 18]certify any such device. Once certified they may be called an ‘approved device’. PCNs must not [footnote 19] be served by post based on evidence from an approved device other than when vehicles are parked on a:

• bus lane
• bus stop clearway or bus stand clearway
• ‘keep clear’ zig-zag area outside schools
• red route
• parking or a loading restriction within a mandatory cycle lane

In such circumstances, the Secretary of State recommends that approved devices are used only where enforcement is difficult or sensitive and enforcement by a civil parking officer is not practical.

It is recommended that the authority sends a copy of the record of the contravention (in the form of a still image or images) with the PCN.

The primary objective of any camera enforcement system is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the road network by deterring motorists from breaking road traffic restrictions and detecting those that do. To do this, the system needs to be well publicised and indicated with lawful traffic signs."

Nellymoser

https://southlondonnews.co.uk/local/greenwich/greenwich-council/greenwich-council-to-privatise-traffic-wardens-over-parking-zones-2026/

• Current in-house traffic wardens will transition to a private contractor, with no immediate job losses announced.

• Opposition Conservatives have raised concerns over accountability and service quality under private operation.

• The move is expected to take effect later in 2026, pending contract finalisation.

Nellymoser

https://www.cycleplan.co.uk/blog/uk-most-expensive-places-to-park-2026/

Cycleplan analysed parking charges across 30 major UK cities, ranked the most and least expensive cities to park in 2026.

Key findings:

• Edinburgh is the UK’s most expensive city to park overall

• Brighton commuters could spend up to £8,050 a year on parking alone

• London has the highest short stay charge at £10 for two hours

• Manchester ranks third most expensive in the UK

The parking costs in the most expensive group are truly shocking. It's time there was an investigation to look at why the cost to park in some cities is so much higher than in others.