Southwark Council will spend £4.46 million on 48 traffic wardens and a stockpile of parking cameras to oversee its incoming controlled parking zones (CPZs).
The council is currently rolling out residents’ parking schemes, known as controlled parking zones, across the entire borough.
Residents have complained that Southwark is forcing CPZs on them without consultation and the latest wave of traffic enforcement could fan local frustration.
Former Conservative candidate for Dulwich Village ward and CPZ-skeptic Clive Rates said: “Southwark Labour claim to be ‘consulting’ on their borough-wide CPZ plan yet at the same time they are hiring an extra 48 parking officers on our streets to enforce it – even on Blue Badge holders.
“It’s obviously a pre-determined process – they already made up their minds, and once again they are treating their residents with contempt.”
The latest outlay is part of Southwark Council’s decision to extend its contract with parking management company APCOA Parking UK Ltd.
In total, Southwark will spend £12.45 million on a four-year contract starting September 1, 2023.
In a report shared with Southwark’s cabinet on July 10, it was revealed that the council will spend £2.57 million on 48 new traffic wards – officially known as civil enforcement officers.
The council is also set to spend £1.89 million on ANPR cameras – made up of a £583,036 one-off project payment and £1.3 million on future projects, excluding VAT.
In the report, Cllr James McAsh wrote: “There is…a need to… deploy additional civil enforcement officers (including two new bases) to enforce the wider controlled parking in the borough.”
ANPR cameras are used to scan number plates on cars that defy parking rules. Southwark Council has said new ones are needed to oversee eight new bus lanes.
The CPZ roll-out has caused outrage among some residents, with many unhappy about the prospect of paying up to £300 to park their cars in areas where it’s currently free.
Southwark already has roughly 50 per cent CPZ coverage across zones including Borough, Bermondsey, Camberwell, Walworth.
The council has publicly stated its intention to blanket the entire borough with CPZs to reduce car ownership and has conducted consultations in Queen’s Road, Nunhead.
But car owners complain they are not given a ‘no’ option and are instead asked to say what times they’d like the CPZ to operate.
Southwark Council had considered bringing traffic enforcement in-house but decided against it.
It concluded that the technology needed was too “niche” and the private contractor was better placed to provide the flexible workforce needed.
According to council figures, the parking company has delivered £1,763,459 in “social and local economic value” over the course of its current contract which began in June 2020.
Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, Clean Air and Streets, said: “Local people have repeatedly told the council that they want us to improve air quality, address the climate emergency, and make our borough even greener and safer.
“Our Streets for People strategy delivers on these aspirations, and relies on the introduction of parking permits. The success of permit schemes relies on adequate enforcement to ensure parking is available for permit holders.
“Enforcement officers are also responsible for enforcing safety restrictions, preventing idling which pumps pollution into our air and unsafe parking on double yellow lines or around our local schools.
“Permit schemes have proven to be very successful; many residents who are initially sceptical about changes are fully supportive once they are in place.”
