THE Vale of Glamorgan Council’s new camera car has identified more than 200 vehicles parked incorrectly during its first three weeks of operation.

Tasked with cracking down on the issue of problem parking, particularly outside schools, the civil parking enforcement camera car began patrolling Vale streets on September 14.

In three weeks, it found 40 drivers parked on the zigzags either side of a pedestrian crossing; 21 cars parked on school crossings during school arrival or departure times; and 32 cars found in taxi ranks.

It also found 27 cars in bus stops and 91 vehicles found parked on ‘No Loading’ restrictions.

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Those drivers received warning notices, but from October 5 a £70 penalty charge notices will be issued for such offences, with a 50 per cent discount for early payment.

The camera car compliments the efforts of enforcement officers, who patrol on foot, and the council’s Park Tidy campaign, which encourages safe, lawful parking.

It is specifically designed to target areas where short-term parking is prohibited such as outside schools and at bus stops.

Vale council cabinet member for neighbourhood services and transport, Cllr Peter King said: “The number of parking infringements identified by the camera car in its first three weeks of operation proves how useful it can be in addressing bad parking.

“We regularly receive reports of dangerous parking, particularly from schools and parents who are concerned about their children’s safety and the car will assist greatly in these areas.

“The vast majority of Vale residents are careful and law abiding when parking.

"Hopefully, the camera car will encourage the small percentage of irresponsible parkers to act in a more considerate manner.”