POOLE’S camera car is to step up a gear after it was revealed that just eleven fines have been handed out to illegally parked motorists since it launched in September.
From Monday drivers who park in Poole bus stops and taxi ranks risk a penalty charge notice of up to £70.
The fines handed out stand in sharp contrast to Bournemouth’s camera car, which averaged 158 fines a month during its first year of operation.
The camera car only started to issue tickets at the beginning of last month but now it looks set to increase focus on drivers who muscle in on the borough’s bus stops and taxi ranks.
Problems with parents stopping on school zigzags and putting pupils in danger was highlighted by the Daily Echo’s Parking Mad campaign.
Borough of Poole transport bosses invested £67,000 into their camera safety car which uses GPS satellite technology and an infrared camera system.
The taxi rank and bus stop initiative was launched after bus firms and cabbies accused private motorists of hampering their passengers.
Poole councillor Xena Dion, cabinet transport holder, said: “Bus companies and taxi drivers provide valuable services to many people in Poole, especially older people, parents with young children and people with a disability.
“Bus companies and the local taxi operators have told us bus stops and taxi ranks in the town are frequently occupied by other vehicles.
“Unfortunately, when this occurs passengers are inconvenienced and services can be delayed.”
Borough of Poole transport boss Julian McLaughlin believes many motorists may not realise they risk getting a fine for clogging up bus stops and taxi ranks.
He added: “Keeping bus and taxi ranks free of parked cars and other vehicles will help ensure buses and taxis can drop off and pick up their customers quickly, conveniently and safely.”
