Town slates parking enforcement vehicle
BUSINESSES and residents who have been hit repeatedly by Central Beds Council’s new CCTV parking enforcement vehicle, have criticised the authority’s “money-making scheme”.
People in Ampthill have hit out at the council after some were left with a £35 fine for stopping outside shops for minutes, or loading and unloading good for their business.
They say the van goes up and down Ampthill looking to catch vehicles who have parked illegally, but the council insists it is mainly targeting schools and dangerous parkers.
But it did admit Ampthill was highlighted as a hotspot due to its lack of parking enforcement in the past.
Russell Fletcher, landlord of pub The Albion, said: “I was caught last week when I went to Cambridge Wines to pick up some stock. I couldn’t believe it when I got the fine through, I was only there for a couple of minutes.
“I phoned the council straight away and they said if I send my invoice and a letter stating why I’m challenging it they will rescind it, which they did.
“But in my eyes it’s the principle of it, it’s a lot to have to do when you are in the right anyway.
“You just see this van doing a figure of eight through Ampthill all day. It’s ridiculous, it just feels like a way of getting money from us.
“Everyone feels the town is losing trade because of it.”
Councillor Brian Spurr, executive member for sustainable communities at Central Beds, said: “If anyone is seen to be loading or unloading, they will not be issued with a penalty ticket. We are not in the businesses of unfairly ticketing people; this is about targeting those who are illegally and dangerously parked - it’s about our keeping streets safe and free of congestion.”
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Weather for Bedford
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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Wind direction: South west
