Traffic Camera Fines Predicted to Rise By Over £5million
Hounslow Council sees this source as largest 'saving' in its budget
Picture: AI Generated
January 27, 2026
Traffic CCTV in Hounslow borough will be upgraded to “bolster enforcement” and bring in an estimated £5million extra in revenue.
The council has a recurrent budget gap projected to be £51.5 million for 2026/27, which the council says is driven by high inflation and increasing demand for adult social care and temporary accommodation. In addition to £21.3 million from the Fairer Funding Review, the council has a target of £26.1 million of ‘savings’ in this year’s budget which includes ideas to raise more revenue.
The largest single ‘saving’ comes from traffic enforcement. The council plans to invest in renewing traffic CCTV technology which will help it catch more drivers and reduce infringements. It is hoped that this will improve traffic flows and road safety, however it means drivers can expect more fines for road violations with new technology improving the rate of detection.
By automating enforcement through improved technology without increasing the number of officers, the council can increase revenue without increasing costs, it says. This is projected to create £5.22m in new revenue for the council, reducing the net cost of the department and creating a saving towards the budget.
The council is also seeking to maximise income from assets such as Hounslow House. The home of the council is expected to bring in £950,000 in the next financial year by letting out office space to third-party organisations.
There will also be a phased reduction of the council’s contribution to Lampton Leisure, a council subsidiary. This will require the company to operate more commercially in bringing in funds.
In the first year this is expected to save the council £805,000, and a further £525,000 in 2027/28. The Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre is scheduled to close in 2028, with a new centre not opening until at least 2031.
Changes to fees and charges are also expected to generate sizable savings for the council, to the tune of £1.55million. The largest portion of this comes from how the council charges for planning fees, permitted by new national legislation.
By increasing planning fees charged to developers, the council expects to raise £500,000. Fees will also be increased for building control inspections and certifications, raising £100,000.
Applicants will be able to pay an increased fee to ‘fast track’ their planning application. This new income stream is expected to raise £100,000 for applicants seeking quicker planning decisions.
Smaller changes expected to generate savings include increasing fees for pre-application advice charged by the council.
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Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter
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