Proposed parking enforcement changes to cover Rochdale

Date published: 30/07/2006

Plans for tough new measures to overhaul the country's system of civil parking enforcement were unveiled today by Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander.

The proposed changes cover more than 30 North West councils, including Rochdale.

The draft guidelines make clear that the Government wants local authorities to use parking enforcement powers to keep the traffic flowing and not to raise money. The aim is a fairer system for all. The highlights of the Government's draft advice, which goes to public consultation today, include:

• Wheel clamping only for the most persistent parking penalty evaders
• More transparency and information for road users with authorities publishing their policies and reports
• Dedicated training for everyone involved in administering civil parking enforcement from on the street right up to the boardroom
• A more motorist-friendly appeals process with a penalty charge discount reoffered after an informal challenge
• More powers being given to the independent adjudicators to intervene where procedures have not been followed properly
• Regular review of parking policies by local authorities in consultation with stakeholders
• Persistent parking offenders targeted through a nationwide database

Kevin Mayor, Parking Services Manager, said: "Rochdale Council unreservedly endorses the Government's views on parking enforcement and agrees it should be used for traffic management issues and not to raise money.

"The Council made the very same statement when it introduced decriminalised parking enforcement across the Borough in July 2004.

"The majority of the Government's recommendations have been Council policy since the inception of the scheme and the Council is happy to embrace all the examples of best practice suggested."