Parking cameras installed without permission

The cameras were installed in October 2019

A car park has been using automatic number plate cameras without permission for the last six years, it has emerged.

Agents for Creative Car Park have now applied to Telford and Wrekin Council for retrospective permission for the cameras and for warning signs.

A lawyer who specialises in challenging prosecutions said it did not necessarily mean motorists who were fined for parking in the car park in Trench Lock near the KFC and Starbucks could ask for a refund.

Nick Freeman, of Manchester-based Freeman & Co Solicitors, said it was a "complex area of law" and there was "certainly no automatic right to a refund".

The agents said the cameras in the car park were intended to ensure it was only used by customers.

In their planning application, JMW Solicitors said the cameras log entry and exit times and allow penalty notices to be issued to motorists who overstay their time or do not make use of the KFC.

The retrospective planning application seeks approval for 14 signs on lampposts and two cameras which detect car number plates.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.