Council stands by parking policy
Salisbury Journal
By Jill Harding
SALISBURY district council has defended its parking enforcement policy after the Govern-ment called for a more "motorist-friendly" approach.
Last year the council raised almost £590,000 from parking tickets, with just 0.3 per cent of appeals going to independent adjudication.
Some motorists who found a ticket on their car have accused parking ambassadors of adopting a "zero tolerance" policy and there have been a number of disputed fines, with car owners complaining they received a ticket while going for change, stopping to help someone or because signage was unclear.
Now the Government has announced that it wants to overhaul parking enforcement "to keep the traffic flowing and not raise money" with a "system that is fairer for all".
Transport secretary Douglas Alexander is asking for more transparency, a more motorist-friendly appeals process, regular reviews of parking policies and more powers for adjudicators to intervene where procedures have not been followed properly.
"The Government is determined to see a parking system that is fairer and more consistent," he said.
"These proposals are a significant stride towards achieving that goal. We have listened to motorists and it is clear that the current system needs to be improved. Taken together, the proposals in this draft guidance will strengthen the system of civil parking enforcement and help local authorities tackle local congestion and keep the traffic moving."
But the council says that the recommendations "will only reinforce the current good practices carried out in the district".
Parking bosses say that all ambassadors undergo training that can lead to an NVQ qualification and there was no incentive or reward scheme for them to issue more tickets.
If parking appeals are rejected then information about the National Parking Adjudication Service is provided and the council says it gives the Government all the information it requests and regularly reviews its policies.
"It is important that drivers have confidence in the appeals service and we would encourage any changes that raise the profile of NPAS," said a spokeswoman.
"Money raised from penalty charge notices from on-street parking is ring-fenced and can only be spent on transportation improvements. The revenue raised from off-street penalty charge notices is invested both in parking services and general council services."
6:22am Sunday 23rd July 2006
By Jill Harding
SALISBURY district council has defended its parking enforcement policy after the Govern-ment called for a more "motorist-friendly" approach.
Last year the council raised almost £590,000 from parking tickets, with just 0.3 per cent of appeals going to independent adjudication.
Some motorists who found a ticket on their car have accused parking ambassadors of adopting a "zero tolerance" policy and there have been a number of disputed fines, with car owners complaining they received a ticket while going for change, stopping to help someone or because signage was unclear.
Now the Government has announced that it wants to overhaul parking enforcement "to keep the traffic flowing and not raise money" with a "system that is fairer for all".
Transport secretary Douglas Alexander is asking for more transparency, a more motorist-friendly appeals process, regular reviews of parking policies and more powers for adjudicators to intervene where procedures have not been followed properly.
"The Government is determined to see a parking system that is fairer and more consistent," he said.
"These proposals are a significant stride towards achieving that goal. We have listened to motorists and it is clear that the current system needs to be improved. Taken together, the proposals in this draft guidance will strengthen the system of civil parking enforcement and help local authorities tackle local congestion and keep the traffic moving."
But the council says that the recommendations "will only reinforce the current good practices carried out in the district".
Parking bosses say that all ambassadors undergo training that can lead to an NVQ qualification and there was no incentive or reward scheme for them to issue more tickets.
If parking appeals are rejected then information about the National Parking Adjudication Service is provided and the council says it gives the Government all the information it requests and regularly reviews its policies.
"It is important that drivers have confidence in the appeals service and we would encourage any changes that raise the profile of NPAS," said a spokeswoman.
"Money raised from penalty charge notices from on-street parking is ring-fenced and can only be spent on transportation improvements. The revenue raised from off-street penalty charge notices is invested both in parking services and general council services."
6:22am Sunday 23rd July 2006
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