Website plan for parking offences

The system will make it easier to pay fines, according to the council

A Tyneside council says it plans to post photographs of parking offences on its website.

Gateshead Council, which is due to take over parking enforcement from police, will equip officers with cameras.

The photographs will be used to provide a record of offences, according to the local authority.

They will be uploaded onto a special area of the website and will only be accessible by the offender, using a code on the penalty charge notice.

There will also be a link to another part of the website, where the fine can be paid.

Councillor David Bollands, cabinet member for transport, said: "This is not an exercise in 'naming and shaming' quite the reverse, in fact.

'Simple instructions'

"The only person who will see these photographs will be the person who committed the offence, as they will have to input the registration number of their vehicle and the serial number of the penalty charge notice to see them.

"What this new system will do is make the payment of a notice quick and convenient.

"You won't have to trail down to the civic centre, you won't have to appear in court - all you have to do is click on the link and follow the simple instructions."

Gateshead Council takes over responsibility for on-street parking control from the town's traffic wardens on 2 July.