CCTV ‘is scaring off my customers’ (From Enfield Independent)

CCTV ‘is scaring off my customers’

9:35am Thursday 6th November 2008

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AN ELECTRONIC spy camera which ruthlessly enforces parking rules is scaring away customers, an Enfield trader says.

Ken Rolland, owner of Furncrafts, in London Road, claims customers are regularly being fined £100 for stopping in a loading bay to collect furniture bought at his shop.

He has called on Enfield Council, which operates a pole-mounted CCTV camera in the road, to stop “harrasing” his elderly customers and instead fine thoughtless drivers who treat the road as a car park.

Mr Rolland said: “My customers are not abusing the system. If people just leave their cars there, fine them. My customers are perfectly legitimate.

“This is a wide road with lots of room. This town used to be a friendly place to shop but times are hard at the moment. Trade is down 20 per cent and this isn’t helping.”

Policing bad parking earns cash for the council.The camera, which covers the stretch of London Road between Cecil Road and the Church Street junction, has issued 618 tickets in the past 12 weeks.

With a maximum fine of £100, or £50 minimum for prompt payment, that can earn the council £61,800.

A spokesman said: “A CCTV operator captures footage in real time and reviews the tape afterwards to check the information.

“In loading bays there is a five minute observation period to obtain evidence of loading. If none is seen a ticket is issued. Loading bays are for commercial vehicles only and allow up to 20 minutes to load and unload.

“If private light goods vehicles are observed, even though they should not park there, an allowance of five minutes is given to ensure no loading is taking place.”

Mr Rolland says more discretion is vital if he is to keep customers. He fears many will not want to drag furniture 250 yards to a car park.

He added: “We get people from all different areas but they will not come if this goes on. There will be no point running a business.”

• What’s your view of parking in Enfield? Write with your views to enfieldnews@london.newsquest.co.uk

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