CCTV cameras to be used to issue parking tickets

New regulations: Councils will have the power to use video footage to issue fines where it is deemed impractical for wardens to hand out tickets

Councils will be given the power to use video footage to hand out fines where it is deemed impractical for traffic wardens to issue tickets in person.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport (DfT) said it would be left to local authorities to decide exactly what "impractical" meant, but high-speed lanes were likely to be included.

The new regulations said CCTV should not be used where residents' permits or disabled bays were in force, she added.

The guidelines, to be brought in next Monday, will also allow traffic wardens to issue penalty notices without putting tickets on windscreens - to discourage drivers from speeding off to avoid a parking fine.

Where drivers are not given a ticket on the spot, penalty charge notices will be sent through the post.

Under the new rules, parking fines will be divided into bands: £40 or £50 penalties will issued for less serious offences, and £60 or £70 penalties for more serious offences such as parking on double yellow lines.

A spokesman for the DfT said: "No-one likes parking tickets but parking rules exist to help beat congestion and improve road safety.

"The new guidance will make parking enforcement fairer, more transparent, consistent and easier to challenge."

Last month consumer magazine Which? warned that the new regulations could make it more difficult for motorists to appeal against unfair parking fines.

Drivers issued with tickets based on CCTV evidence would not have the opportunity to gather necessary evidence to challenge tickets which they think have been unfairly issued, the magazine said.