Changes to the Enforcement of Parking Restrictions

On the 31st March 2008 part of the Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA 2004) came into force replacing the Road Traffic Act 1991, the legislation under which the County Council with the Borough and District Councils has operated Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) since July 2007.

Under the TMA 2004, Decriminalised Parking Enforcement will become known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) and Parking Attendants will become known as Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs).

The Government also requires councils to introduce a two-tier parking charge system. There will be two different levels of charges, depending on the parking offence. A £50 fine will be issued for 'lower level' contraventions, such as parking for longer than restrictions permit, while motorists will receive a £70 fine for 'higher level' contraventions, which could include parking on double yellow lines and parking in a taxi rank. For information on contravention codes

Civil Enforcement Officers will issue Penalty Charge Notices “PCNs” (parking tickets) to people who ignore parking restrictions and park inappropriately.

A full programme of repair and renewal to make parking and waiting restrictions legally enforceable by Civil Enforcement Officers has been undertaken. In some cases, this included the replacement of lines and signs which had been missing or damaged for some time. Signs and lines are being kept in good condition by an ongoing program of maintenance.

Whether issued in an off-street car park or on-street, the County Council is responsible for administering payments and appeals through a single notice processing service for the County. (Historically, off-street car parking notices were administered by the District and Borough councils, and on-street notices by the police.)

This service offers comprehensive advice and information on all parking related matters as well as payments and appeals of PCNs.

The aim of Civil Parking Enforcement is to achieve better enforcement of parking. This will reduce the number of illegally parked vehicles which will in turn: