LEICESTER City Council is to deploy a new CCTV-equipped car to help tackle illegal and dangerous parking.
The enforcement vehicle will take to the streets from the beginning of April and will be used to penalise drivers flouting existing parking restrictions.
Anyone found parking illegally by the new camera will be issued with a £70 fixed penalty notice, or a warning notice if the restrictions are newly established.
The move has been prompted by regular complaints about dangerous, inconsiderate and illegal parking outside schools, in bus lanes and at bus stops.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for Environment and Transport, said: “Councils have a duty to tackle dangerous parking and are given powers to enforce parking restrictions by CCTV in areas where there are ongoing problems.
“As part of this, we are introducing a new CCTV-equipped car to penalise and help address illegal parking in areas where there are persistent issues but no fixed camera enforcement.
“We know that camera enforcement can be a very effective deterrent. We want to get the message across that parking without consideration for others, especially in areas where there are lots of children and busy traffic, will not be tolerated.”
The new camera car is due to come into action from Wednesday 1 April and will be used to monitor zigzag markings on school streets, red routes and bus stop clearways where illegal parking can put the safety of others at risk and cause unnecessary congestion.
The car has cost £57,000 to buy and equip. Its purchase and ongoing maintenance will be paid for from parking fine income.