CAMERAS which have appeared at the entrances to Wellington’s three public car parks have been puzzling local motorists.

The cameras have been attached to poles near the North Street, South Street, and Longforth Road car parks to film every vehicle entering and leaving.

Many people thought they were ANPR cameras which automatically read vehicle number plates and can use AI to report drivers.

However, they have been put up by London-based consultancy firm Citisense Ltd, which is working with Somerset Council to investigate traffic movements and carry out an audit of car park usage across the county.

The council wants the information in part to support its active travel plans and proposals to start charging for parking on Sundays.

It is also working with consultants WSP and has allocated £272,824 for a review of parking charges and car park usage ahead of any new proposals, which are due in the autumn.

The timing means unitary councillors will have to decide whether or not to introduce unpopular Sunday parking charges just months before they stand for election again in May of next year.

The charges were postponed earlier this year after the council’s own public consultation on the issue showed overwhelming opposition to the proposals.

Signs erected by Citisense state the Wellington cameras are for temporary monitoring of each car park to collect traffic data.

They state: “No personal information is recorded or used.

“This equipment is not used to enforce any traffic laws.

“All data collected is strictly anonymous and in compliance with GDPR/UK data protection legislation.”