Hamsterley Forest residents' fears over camera system

BEWILDERED residents have castigated a camera which they fear will fine their friends and relatives.
The Forestry Commission wants to install an “Automated Number Plate Recognition” (ANPR) system at Hamsterley Forest to stop visitors flouting parking regulations.
However, homeowners in the grounds of the park fear any relatives or visitors would face a £6 ticket charge or a £50 bill should they not buy one.
Redford’s John Stephenson was “extremely concerned” about the plans and annoyed at the commission for their “non-existent” consultation.
He said: “The ANPR system itself is not a problem if it helps security but it does not help us.
“As soon as the fines come in they have an effect and the only way we can get around that is us doing all the work for them.”
In an irate letter to the Forestry Commission, the 67-year-old said he’d only learned about the camera at a meeting on January 17.
Mr Stephenson added: “We resent the high-handed approach which is about to impose a system upon residents which will cause us inconvenience, force us to go to considerable effort and also cost use time and money.
“The commission expectation appears to be that we will be delighted to do this for the rest of our lives.”
The former geography teacher has lived in Hamsterley Forest for 27 years and used to run a bed and breakfast with his wife, Julie.
“When we had a business we made friends and told them to call in for coffee but we don’t know when they are coming or what their registration is,” he added.
“It’s just not feasible – when someone comes it’s not normal to ask for their car number.”
Former locomotive engineer Laurence Hankin has lived in Hamsterley Forest since 1974.
“I just don’t think it’s going to work,” he said.
“I agree with John – any vehicles that come up this road should be exempt from any charges because it’s all residential.
“In the meeting they used the words ‘it’s down to you lot’ and I think that’s wrong. It should be the other way around.”
Mr Stephenson said the two January meetings revealed the camera’s installation is lined up for April with fines enforced in August.
He suggested a second ANPR camera at the end of Holdings Lane could “cancel off” vehicles who come up the road.
“It is surely not beyond the wit of man to create software which automatically cancels the need for payment from anyone driving up our road,” he added.
“Something of this nature, we feel, is essential.”
Alex McLennan, from the Forestry Commission, said it was working through the points raised at the meetings and would update residents on the camera’s progress in mid-March.
He added: “We are currently working through options, including suggestions from local residents, on how to best implement the ANPR system at Hamsterley Forest.
“We have a project team working on this at present which includes technical experts as broadband and mobile phone reception continue to be issues in this area.
“We do see the installation of ANPR as a big improvement in the security of the forest and this has been supported by a number of people who do agree we need improved security.”
Mr Stephenson has written to Teesdale’s MP Helen Goodman and Forestry Commission chief Ian Gambles requesting their assistance.