Parking Enforcement

 

Information, common questions and answers

 

On-street enforcement is carried out for three main reasons:
 
  1. to keep the city moving - people parking wherever they want cause unnecessary hazards which can clog up the busy roads
  2. to maintain the safety of all road users (including pedestrians)
  3. to ensure the limited amount of space available for parking is available for those who need it

 

Off-street enforcement is carried out because:

 

  • The council provides off-street parking facilities, which have to be maintained
  • Off-street parking areas have costs which include lighting, facilities to purchase a Pay & Display ticket, and 24hr CCTV monitoring
  • A charge is applied for use of the facility

 

Enforcement therefore ensures compliance with the requirement to pay the advertised tariff, as charges apply 24 hours a day, every day of the week

 

Why are parking restrictions put in?

 

Requests for parking restrictions to be put in place mainly come from local residents or businesses who are concerned about congestion or accidents in their area. The only way for these measures to be effective is to enforce them
 
When did the council take over parking enforcement from the Police?
 
The council took over responsibility for parking in September 2003. Before this the police carried out the enforcement of illegal parking for on-street locations, and the council for its car parks. More information can be found here
 
How many penalty charge notices have been issued?

 

In 2007/08, the council issued 20024 notices

In 2006/07, the council issued 15552 notices

In 2005/06, the council issued 18913 notices
In 2004/05, the council issued 21489 notices
In 2003/04, the council issued 11746 notices
 
Why was there a variance in the number of tickets issued?

 

The main reasons for the variance are:
     
  1. in 2003/04, enforcement commenced half way through the financial year
  2. increased areas of restrictions, due to the work of the project team
  3. the increase in the level of compliance in different areas has led to a drop in some areas, and increase in others
  4. the introduction (in 2007) of a later shift working until Midnight has increased the numbers of PCN issued 

 

What are the levels of penalties?

 

From 31 March 2008, differential levels of Penalty Charges have been introduced
 
For example, a vehicle parked on a yellow line restriction or a vehicle parked in a disabled person's bay without displaying a valid blue badge will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) at a higher rate of £70 (£35 if paid within 14 days), whereas a vehicle parked after expiry of a Pay & Display ticket in an off-street car park is not deemed to be as serious and will be issued with a PCN at the lower rate of £50 (£25 if paid within 14 days). Previously, all PCNs were £60 (£30 if paid within 14 days)
 
How is this level set?

 

The levels of penalties are agreed following extensive consultation by the Department for Transport and the Secretary of State. It is policy that the penalties can only be set at a minimum level to act as a deterrent making people think twice about parking illegally
 
What happens to the money collected through penalties?

 

Any surplus in parking revenue accounts, after the cost of running the schemes have been covered, can only be spent on:
     
  1. Providing additional parking facilities
  2. Public transport schemes
  3. Highway improvements
  4. Road maintenance
  5. Environmental improvements

 

How many Civil Enforcement Officers (Parking Attendants) are there in the city?
 
There are currently 19 employed by the council, and enforcement is not contracted out
 
Can a Civil Enforcement Officer (Parking Attendant) cancel a ticket once they have started to issue it?
 
No. This prevents them being targets for violence and possible corruption. If they were able to cancel the ticket it could also lead to an inconsistent approach to parking enforcement. The discretion to cancel a parking ticket rests with the council ticket processing team 
 
Do Civil Enforcement Officers (Parking Attendants) receive commission on the number of tickets they issue? Are targets set?

 

There is no commission and no target to achieve. They also do not benefit in anyway from tickets that are subsequently overturned on appeal
 
What happens when a motorist receives a penalty charge notice?
 
Any motorist who receives a penalty charge notice has two options. These are either to pay the charge notice (payment MUST NEVER be made to a Civil Enforcement Officer direct) or to challenge the ticket
 
Once issued, the penalty amount is instantly discounted by 50% - details of the discount period are printed on the PCN itself. To pay a PCN please click here
 
However if they receive a ticket they feel is unfair they should challenge the ticket
 
 
For information on civil enforcement of Parking and Traffic Regulations outside London (PATROL) including which councils are in the scheme and what to do if you receive a penalty charge notice.
 
How does a motorist submit an initial challenge?

 

In the first instance the driver should write to the council. The council will either refuse or uphold the initial challenge. If the PCN is upheld it is cancelled. All challenges must be in writing
 
If the initial challenge is refused the motorist would be informed how to make a formal representation, information can be found here
Peterborough City Council. Town Hall, Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1QT - (01733) 747474 - DX12310 Peterborough 1