60 Fines a Day Being Issued By Fisher's Lane Camera
Over 3,000 PCNs given out in just eight weeks of operation
Signage at Fisher's Lane junction not illuminated at night
Ealing Council have issued over 3,000 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) at the Fisher’s Lane underpass in the first eight weeks of operation.
A Freedom of Information request by the ChiswickAppeals.com website was made after it experienced a surge in enquiries from drivers who had received fines through the post.
This revealed that from 7 December 2020, when the camera was made operational, 3,348 PCNs had been given out, the equivalent of 60 a day.
The underpass that links South Parade to the centre of Chiswick was made subject to an access restriction by an Experimental Traffic Order which banned all motor vehicles except buses and emergency vehicles.
The camera is situated on South Parade to the east of the mini-roundabout.
If all the fines issued so far were paid at the full face value of £130 this would bring in £436,000 although many are likely to be appealed or paid immediately to qualify for the discounted rate. Assuming the lower rate is paid ChiswickAppeals.com calculate the camera could bring in £1.4 million per annum. This would exceed even the level of fines issued by Hounslow Council for the now suspended Turnham Green Terrace restriction.
ChiswickAppeals.com said, “This might well explain why Ealing Council is deaf to local residents’ requests to review the road’s closure to motor vehicles. This has become the most profitable camera in the Borough, eclipsing even the controversial and dangerous Longfield Avenue camera in central Ealing, which raised a mere million pounds in its first year and was already one of the most profitable cameras in the whole country.
“The windfall of fines from Fisher's Lane is despite the fact that the camera Ealing is using is only catching motorists turning into Fisher's Lane from South Parade, and not drivers who come from the south (Chiswick High Road) side.
“The Fisher's Lane camera also puts Ealing in contention to become first among all UK councils for the revenue it raises from Penalty Charge Notices. It is currently third, raising 40% more in a single London Borough than the entirety of Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city. “
Enforcement camera on South Parade near Fisher's Lane junction
ChiswickAppeals.com claims that the signage notifying motorists does not conform to legal standards. It says it has notified council leader Julian Bell of this and not received a response from him. It is further pointed out that at night time the signs relating to the restriction are not lit whereas other signage near the junction is illuminated leading to confusion.
Motorists looking to appeal their PCNs on Fishers Lane or Turnham Green Terrace can find free help on www.chiswickappeals.com. ChiswickAppeals,com says large numbers of drivers were able to get their Turnham Green Terrace PCNs set aside after the summer, based on the poor signage.
An online petition against the closures of Fisher's Lane and Turnham Green Terrace had been signed by over 9,000 people.
Residents can email Ealing Council comments at TrafficNotices@ealing.gov.uk, or post them to the Highways Service, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, W5 2HL, quoting reference ORD XXX.
To have your say on any of Hounslow’s trial Streetspace schemes click on this link or email the transport team on traffic@hounslow.gov.uk.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |
February 19, 2021
