A BAN on so-called 'spy cars' under a raft of new parking rules is just a headline grabbing exercise by government to curry favour with voters, according to a Barnsley councillor.
The changes come into effect next month and have been approved by government to stop overzealous parking enforcement and put 'common sense back in the driving seat'.
Under the new laws motorists will be allowed a ten minute grace period by traffic wardens, which means they can avoid being fined if a parking ticket runs out.
The use of CCTV 'spy cars' - which take a photograph of a parking offence and a fine is then issued through the post - will also be banned, except in no-parking areas around schools and bus stops.
Coun Roy Miller said Barnsley Council only has one mobile CCTV parking enforcement vehicle, purchased after requests from parents and residents, and the changes will not affect the council as a ten minute grace period has always been in force for its parking spaces.
** The full story is in the Barnsley Chronicle newspaper, dated March 13. **
