CCTV cameras could be used to identify people driving through Spalding town centre, a discussion about its usage heard.
The traffic regulation order (TRO) banning vehicles from the one-way street through Market Place is in the process of being rewritten.
A meeting of Spalding Town Forum was told that while cameras couldn’t thwart the ‘hundreds’ currently ignoring it, when a barrier is in place stopping traffic from 10am to 4pm every day, it could catch people driving the wrong way.
That’s after forum chair Coun Rob Gibson said he confronted someone driving the wrong way on a recent market day.
“They said ‘what am I supposed to do’ I need to collect someone’s take away delivery’,” Coun Gibson said. “I’d like to think we could stop that.”
Coun Anthony Casson responded: “I’m sure the cameras could be used for that.”
He’d been called to the meeting to answer questions on the 82 cameras in Spalding plus four in Holbeach and three in Crowland which South Holland District Council pays £30,000 a year towards.
It’s manned by five each of full time staff, part-time staff and volunteers.
Coun Ingrid Sheard asked if more staff had been taken on since she and Coun Gary Taylor had visited the Boston- based control room which, she felt, was understaffed.
Coun Casson said he couldn’t answer that question.
“Boston has a full complement of staff, that’s all I can say,” he said.
“There’s always one there and a lot of the time two.”
Coun Taylor added: “Our concern was that if staff were sick or on leave, they needed to be replaced immediately. I believe that did take place.
“For so many screens to watch monitoring three councils, one member of staff isn’t sufficient.
“It needs to be fully staffed at all times and that’s what seems to be in place now.
“We need to make sure that continues.”
Meanwhile Coun Aaron Spencer, of Sedge Estate Agents, told the meeting he’d had CCTV footage of people breaking in his window.
“The police don’t want to know,” he said. “It’s all well urging people to report incidents, but the public sentiment is they won’t do anything and that CCTV doesn’t stop people from carrying out this behaviour.
“If we can demonstrate it’s working the public will report more.”
Coun Casson said: “I think the CCTV is quite adequate. They’re doing alright from what I gather.”