Richmond takes 'spy cars' off road after parking blunders

CCTV "spy cars" have been removed from the streets by Richmond council as part of a package of new pro-driver policies.

The move will increase the pressure on its fellow Tory borough of Westminster, which is accused of being London's most anti-motoring council following planned extensions of evening and weekend parking charges.

Richmond voted to remove its two enforcement cars last night after a resident proved they incorrectly issued more than 18,000 penalty charge notices. It is the first London council to admit mistakes with its cameras and has agreed to refund more than £1 million to drivers. It mean the cars, now described as "a menace" by council leader Lord True, became too expensive to run.

Lord True voted to scrap the vehicles, despite claiming previously that most drivers caught by them were guilty. Last night's cabinet meeting also agreed that motorists who return to wrongly parked cars before wardens write out a ticket should be allowed to drive off. Wardens must also observe a 10-minute "grace" period before issuing a penalty for some delivery vehicles.

CCTV cars were on Richmond's roads for two years and their use was suspended in the summer.

It follows a campaign by Nigel Wise, who proved that the tickets issued by the cars were invalid as they had the wrong paperwork.