Controversial CCTV cameras are still incorrectly charging people with one shop owner saying it happens “almost every day.”
The numberplace recognition cameras in the car park of the Cherry Tree shopping centre have caused a lot of controversy since they were introduced in 2021. More than 2,000 people have been incorrectly fined according to figures released to Wirral Council by Smart Parking and many people have said it's put them off visiting Liscard as a result.
In October 2022, Smart Parking who operate the car park lost planning permission to keep the cameras at a Wirral Council meeting that saw a huge turnout from angry members of the public. The firm was accused of charging Blue Badge holders despite them being eligible for free parking. People complained of difficulty putting number plates in, not knowing what to do, and claimed a parking attendant was allegedly 'found hiding behind the bins'.
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Smart Parking argued this was a system used all around the country but the planning committee rejected the cameras on the grounds it was hurting Liscard’s recovery post-pandemic. Rebecca Lowe, who runs the Flowers Flies Florist at the shopping centre, said people are still coming in on a regular basis with issues related to the car park since the planning decision.
She previously accused the parking firm of making people “ absolutely terrified to shop in town” and said she’s seen a drop of 11% in her business. She said: “As I work there, I see what’s going on and the attendants sometimes hide behind the bin area. The whole dynamic of my job has changed because I’m having to help people.”
She’s raised issues with the management of the shopping centre but said she hasn’t heard back. She is now considering moving out of their current location around March because of fewer customers and a struggle to pay rent, blaming the cameras for two shops in the centre shutting already.
A spokesperson from Colliers, the owners of the centre, said: “We are continuing to help Blue Badge holders to get their vehicles registered and penalty charge notices (PCNs) cancelled. Should anyone experience difficulties registering with the on-site Smart Parking attendants we would encourage them to contact our friendly management team on 0151 6910121 for further assistance, or email parkingqueries@cherrytreecentre.co.uk if they have any parking enquiries."
Council leader Janette Williamson previously accused Smart Parking of “preying on people’s misery” and said their “business model is based on fining vulnerable people.”
She said: "This company installed these cameras without permission. They were told that permission had been refused but continue to use them to fine motorists and in the view of many people, cause serious financial hardship to individuals and damage the recovery of our neighbourhood.
"To do so, presumably on the basis that it can appeal the decision and end up getting the permission in the end seems a cynical tactic. This is not an 'innocent until proven guilty' situation.
“The decision of the planning authority has been made, the cameras should not be there. If that means the firm has to miss out on dishing out fines people can not afford to pay until any appeal finds otherwise, then that is surely the price this firm should pay for flouting the rules in the first place.”
Wirral Council is currently going through the process of enforcing the planning decision. Smart Parking have the right to appeal the decision until April 2023 but have not yet done so. Smart Parking was approached for comment.
In a Facebook group dedicated to helping people who have received unexpected parking fines, posts appear every few days often from Blue Badge holders who have suddenly received a letter through the post. Jane Hughes said her father, who grew up in Liscard, has been "worried sick" since he received a letter asking for £100.
It is claimed this was after parking for 25 minutes to go to a nearby pet shop on November 15. Mrs Hughes said he is a Blue Badge holder and didn’t realise he had to register when parking in the car park.
She said: “I don’t think it’s clear. My dad’s 70. He wouldn’t even think of going up a sign, we are talking about the older generations here." Mrs Hughes said she was unaware of the issues in Liscard before but said now her dad, who has several health conditions, is extremely worried.
She said: “He asks me about it every day. He’s really got enough going on. He nearly had a panic attack when he got the letter.” She now appealed after receiving help through Facebook but is waiting for a response.
Mrs Hughes said her parents, who are on a prepayment metre may struggle to foot the bill. If they have to pay, she says they’ll have to cut back elsewhere.
Graeme Evans, who helps run the Facebook group helping people, said: “It’s a weekly occurrence that myself or the other admin, get posts on the page. We are now getting people with debt collectors and now letters of claim from CST law.
“The most common things we get are Blue Badges that are supposed to be exempt but ANPR cameras can’t see these and the exemption list obviously doesn’t work. Daisy Kenny, one of the local councillors is helping cancel these through the Cherry tree management.
“We also get people falling foul of the free parking time.”
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