Firm told to remove controversial car park CCTV…

Firm told to remove controversial car park CCTV cameras as people fined daily

A controversial car parking firm has been told to remove its CCTV cameras after being accused of wrongly charging people every day.

Smart Parking introduced the cameras at the Cherry Tree Shopping Centre car park in Liscard, Wirral in 2021 since then they've been accused of charging blue badge holders and disabled users eligible for free parking.

Councillors were told last year at least 2,000 people had been incorrectly charged and some believe the actual number to be far higher.

Wirral Council issued an enforcement notice on the parking firm ordering them to stop using the cameras on the site after a planning decision in October 2022.

However, Smart Parking have appealed the decision, accusing the council of an "abuse of process" and threatening legal action over the decision.

In October, Smart Parking lost planning permission to keep the cameras in the car park, with councillors arguing it was linked to a drop in people visiting Liscard.

In December, councillors called on the local authority to enforce the decision after reports of people still being fined every day.

Rebecca Lowe, who runs a florist in Cherry Tree, said: “I’m still getting people coming in daily needing help with their fines. I shouldn’t have to be doing that."

The enforcement notice gives Smart Parking until the end of April to stop using its cameras. This would be suspended if Smart Parking appeal it.

A Smart Parking spokesperson said: "The Enforcement Notice has been served despite Smart Parking appealing to The Planning Inspectorate against the refusal of the planning application.

“We were extremely disappointed to receive this notice as it is misguided, ill-founded and inappropriate as the Council is aware that we have appealed against the refusal of the planning permission that is now the subject of enforcement.

“We are of the view which is shared by our legal advisors that this notice (as well as the Council’s refusal) will not withstand the scrutiny of an appeal and we will be able to retain the equipment that the Council seeks to remove.

“As part of this we will now seek an award of costs from the Council for their abuse of process resulting in wasted and unnecessary expense."

A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: "The planning application Ref: APP/21//02188 was refused and the Enforcement notice was served because the cameras and pay and display machines have an intrinsic role in a management arrangement of the car park.

"The council’s records show that an appeal against the refusal of planning permission was received on January 11. We have not yet received any further information from the Planning Inspectorate formally validating the appeal.

"The notification of an appeal against the refusal of planning permission does not undermine the reasons to serve an Enforcement Notice. There is a similar right of Appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against the enforcement notice."

Wirral Council leader Janette Williamson said: “Our communities deserve better. Liscard is Wirral’s second biggest shopping area, and we have always had visitors from across the borough.

"We are regularly told by shoppers they will return when Smart Parking has gone for good.”

This article was amended to include a statement from Wirral Council.