Home >> News >> 2010 >> Jul >> Top solicitor Dudu Mehemt Ozoran to take on scourge of CCTV camera in Riversdale Road
Top solicitor Dudu Mehemt Ozoran to take on scourge of CCTV camera in Riversdale Road
Published: 30 July, 2010
by PETER GRUNER
A LEADING Highbury solicitor is joining a campaign to remove one of the borough’s traffic cameras which is “stinging” confused drivers out of millions of pounds a year.
Dudu Mehemt Ozoran, whose firm of solicitors is situated opposite the CCTV camera in Riversdale Road, off Green Lanes, said she is fed up with her clients regularly receiving tickets because the traffic width restriction barrier is so badly marked.
She spoke out after motorist David Burr, from East Sussex, who was fined £60 for entering the centre of the restriction zone, launched an appeal against Islington council, who operate the scheme.
Mr Burr, using the Freedom of Information Act (FoI), discovered that 2,389 motorists had been caught on camera making the same mistake in the past six months.
The restriction allows cars and vans less than 6ft 6in wide to pass through two narrow lanes on either side of the road.
But there is no sign banning vehicles from driving through a large gap in the middle – which is for dust carts and the emergency services.
Last year, under a previous FoI request, it was revealed that 10,775 tickets – worth a total of £1.29million – were issued between March 6 and August 31.
Ms Mehemt Ozoran said the camera was simply a way for the council to make money out of confused drivers.
She added: “What happens when you are turning into the scheme from Green Lanes and you don’t think your vehicle will get through on either side of the barrier?
“Your natural inclination is to drive through the gap in the centre. There’s nothing telling you that you can’t.
“The whole thing is bewildering and set up as a trap for motorists.”
Tim Newark, from Islington Taxpayers Alliance, said the camera also penalises commercial vehicles which are forced to use the centre because they don’t fit in the lanes on either side.
“The whole scheme needs to be re-thought,” he said. “We expect clarity and fairness from the council. Why should the motorist be clouted for making a mistake?”
Islington Council insists that the width restriction complies with regulations.
A spokeswoman said: “There is clear and adequate signage and street markings on all approaches to Riversdale Road to warn drivers about the width restriction.
“However, anyone issued with a penalty charge notice is welcome to appeal and each case will be assessed on its own merit.”
Comments
CCTV Riverdale Road
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2010-08-21 22:14.In response to Caroline Russell of Islington Green Party. The signage at Riversdale Road is far from clear. There is not a no entry in that massive central gap and to a visitor unfamiliar with the set up those bollards do not look negotiable. The set up serves no safety purpose whatsoever, it probably increases risk of accident. You are right on one point however the camera is most cost efficient 2282 motorists caught in just under 6 months ( 2389 minus just 107 cancelled).. This is just as bad as the MP's expenses scandal if not worse..I am a safe courteous driver and tax payer, are you suggesting that this irresponsible, possibly fraudulent action by the council continues because they are facing harsh cuts. We are all facing harsh cuts madam.
Kind Regards..David Burr..East Sussex
CCTV Riversdale Road
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-08-06 10:37.I have requested further enquiry and full report from Islington Council who are sailing very close to the wind with regard to democratic and legal processes.
I paid two Penalty Charge Notices due to their threatening nature and fear of reprisals or escalating costs if I did not do so. The council seem to think that payment is acceptance of the situation but that is most certainly not the case.
The controversy surrounds Penalty Charge Notices issued from CCTV camera 31 situated in Riversdale Road, Islington, N5 just off the junction with Green Lane whilst my car was being driven in London.
The driver, unfamiliar with the area and using sat nav, turned into Riversdale Road from Green lane and was immediately faced with a situation where he believed collision with bollards was inevitable had he taken the designated route so he slowly and cautiously drove through the central gap since stopping for any length of time or attempting to turn would have been dangerous. This happened again 2 days later when the driver suddenly found himself again in the same position. I visited the site on Sunday and in my opinion this is a trap for unfamiliar motorists who are immediately confronted by bollards that do not look negotiable, the signage is very confusing, there is not a no entry in the centre gap which is very wide and inviting, a broken cross hatch indicates you may enter if it is safe to do so and blue keep left is a positive instruction that should be adhered too under normal circumstances. These are not normal circumstances. I have obtained from freedom of information, Islington, camera records that show 2389 contraventions 38jl (Failing to comply with a sign indicating that vehicular traffic must pass to the specified side of the sign in Riversdale Road, N5.) Since 2/1/2010. I am awaiting response from Islington Council who are looking into the matter and have also requested further information from freedom of information regarding successful appeals from this site. My initial representations to the council have been rejected and the grounds of appeal on the PATAS form are very limited.
PATAS have since advised that payment closes the issue and appeals will not be considered.
Thank you Peter Gruner, Islington Tribune, for the article last Friday which has promulgated a healthy response. It is time that honest tax payers stood up to apparent injustices like this..To be continued..Kind Regards. David Burr, East Sussex
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