A system that automatically registers cars when they enter Honiton Leisure Centre’s car park could be installed.
Early-stage discussions are taking place between East Devon District Council and a private operator to run the automatic number plate recognition system, commonly known as ANPR.
This would instantly log when drivers go in to park to ensure the correct tariff is paid when they leave.
The council needs a private operator because rules currently prevent local authorities from running such systems themselves.
Cllr Sam Hawkins (Independent, Cranbrook) said the car park’s current set-up meant non-leisure centre users frequently used the car park, making it difficult or sometimes impossible for those looking to swim or exercise to find spaces.
Mike O’Mahoney, an East Devon District Council officer, said: “Once we understood our position in terms of how we could implement the system, it was very evident that to change behaviour and address the current issues – particularly given the college is putting in an application for an all-weather pitch which will increase traffic to the area – that we should work with LED (Leisure East Devon) on the private operator model and work through the implications of that.”
He acknowledged part of the process would be “making sure the public is well informed”.
“I think inevitably there will be some reaction to this, as it tends to be an unforgiving system, as if you are late, you are late, and it will penalise you,” he added.
“I think people’s behaviour will change quite quickly.”
Cllr Mike Goodman (Conservative, Sidmouth Sidbury) said the system was being considered “because people are parking there for longer and we want a system to make sure we deal with that and they go in a timely fashion”.
Cllr Geoff Jung (Liberal Democrat, Woodbury & Lympstone) noted that one o Devon’s neighbours is looking into such a system.
“Cornwall is considering making half their car parks private as they want a private company to put cameras in and make their car parks more efficient,” he said.
Exact details about how the system might operate will be brought back to councillors before the system is implemented.
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