TRADERS are furious that the council has finally admitted that South Woodford CCTV will be used to catch out motorists who park illegally.

The fears of George Lane shopkeepers have been realised, as the council has been forced to come clean about their CCTV plans.

After countless denials, Redbridge Council has admitted that nine cameras which are to be introduced as part of a £1.7 million regeneration project will be used as a revenue generator.

The latest dedial came as recently as this morning when Michelle Dunn, cabinet member for the environment and highways, told the Guardian they would not be used for this purpose.

When asked if these cameras "would now or at any point in the future be used to catch motorists?" she replied: "No. These cameras are for public safety only and absolutely nothing to do with making money from motorists."

But in a statement this afternoon, a council spokeswoman said: “At the time of the initial enquiry, the cameras did not  meet the technical regulations for their use in parking and traffic enforcement, but this has now been addressed. 

“The use of these cameras is one part of a wide ranging programme of measures designed to improve the overall safety of the area and its attractiveness to visitors. 

“As previously stated, the CCTV cameras in South Woodford are not being "introduced to target motorists" but are being installed primarily for public safety and crime reduction and prevention.  

“A longer term review of the network and expansion of CCTV used to incorporate parking and traffic conventions will be seeking to improve the safety of the highway for all users and will include these cameras. 

“ The only people who will be penalised are those who drive illegally, endanger lives and cause congestion by ignoring traffic signs, markings and restrictions and those who are are committing traffic offences and have no regard for their own safety or that of other road users or pedestrians.”

David Dillane, of David Anthony's Shoes, in George Lane, said: “It's absolutely disgusting.

“I was at a South Woodford business meeting last Wednesday and Cllr Hoskins said they definitely wouldn't be used for parking.

“They have lied through their teeth as far as I'm concerned and deliberately misled us.

“It will take people away from the local area because it's hard to park here anyway.

“We have lots of passing trade where people just park up and pop in shops.”

Chairman of the South Woodford Business partnership Kerk Davies said: “It's going to take a huge campaign to stop them and one I'm not looking forward to.

“The least they can do is come and talk to us about finding more convenient ways of parking.

“We asked the question of councilors and the Guardian asked the question.

“They told us right up until their bluff was called that it wasn't for that reason.

“Now they have been caught out trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

“It's disgraceful.” The cameras will be installed next month.

If you have a view on this, contact Crystal Wilde on: 07500105941 or email: cwilde@london.newsquest.co.uk