CCTV cameras to be used as new parking police

The system, which has already been branded draconian by outraged campaigners, will significantly beef-up already tough parking laws, leaving no hiding place for motorists who break the rules.

Under the new Traffic Management Act regime which comes into force from April, CCTV cameras are likely to be used across the county to catch drivers who flout regulations but who otherwise may not have been caught by traffic wardens.

Under a new two-tier fines system, basic parking tickets are set to rise from £60 to £70 - soaring to £105 if not paid within 28 days.

Meanwhile fines for so-called lesser offences will drop to as little as £20, creating fears that councils across Sussex could face a combined revenue shortfall of more than £1 million if the number of tickets issued does not rise.

Local authorities will also have their budgets stretched further with significant start-up costs for the new camera schemes running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

New offences are to be created, such as parking in front of a driveway or double parking.

Cash from the fines will be collected by local authorities but will be ring-fenced so any profits can only be reinvested in similar schemes such as the purchase of extra CCTV cameras.

The scheme could lead to a dramatic expansion in the amount of surveillance footage recorded in Sussex and help police catch criminals and deter offenders from breaking the law by monitoring their movements.

West Sussex County Council has already indicated it is likely to adopt the higher level fines and introduce CCTV enforcement of fines, with East Sussex County Council likely to follow suit.

Brighton and Hove City Council is yet to decide how it will implement the new laws but has already held discussions with NCP over enforcement.

The Government wants motorists who commit lesser offences, such as parking outside markings, to be fined less than those who, for example, park in a disabled bay without the proper badge.

Councils must adopt either tier 1 level tickets, of £60 for serious offences and £40 for lesser ones, or tier two tickets costing £70 and £50.

Steve Percy, from the People's Parking Protest campaign group, said: "These are totally draconian measures which will do nothing to promote tourism in our towns and cities. It will just put people off coming here."

CCTV cameras are already being used in London to enforce parking offences.

Their introduction in Sussex, which could happen as early as the middle of 2008, is likely to prove one of the most controversial aspects of the new legislation.

As is already done in the capital, enforcers would have the power to send out fines by post after spotting offenders on camera.

Local authorities will be responsible for the CCTV networks but have the option of contracting out their operation to companies like NCP.

However West Sussex County Council has indicated it is likely to wait for more guidance is issued before using CCTV to issue tickets.

Kieran Stignant, the council's director for environment and development, said: "It is proposed that enforcement by CCTV be considered once the Government has published details of the approved devices."

Matthew Lock, East Sussex county council's member for transport and environment, said: "We need to educate motorists about using their cars in the correct way and anything that helps us with that is a very good thing.

"It makes sense for us to adopt a similar stance on this to West Sussex County Council so we have broad, Sussex-wide rules."

London local authorities can already issue parking tickets if a vehicle is spotted by operators using CCTV cameras.

The cameras used are basic CCTV units - not automatic number plate recognition versions like those used by the police - and most in London were already part of a huge network of cameras installed across the capital before the new rules came into force.

However it is anticipated that Sussex councils would need to install more specifically for that purpose.

Fines of up to £120 can be issued in London.