Parking Enforcement Plan

 

Background

 

When the Road Traffic Act 1991 became law all London authorities had to apply to the Government for designation orders to transfer the responsibility for enforcing certain non-endorsable parking offences from their local constabulary to themselves. By 1994 all London Boroughs had broadly achieved this and the then Secretary of State for Transport began to encourage local authorities outside of London to apply for similar powers. This process has continued apace until now when well over 50 local authorities across the country have taken on the new powers.
 
The process is commonly known as Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) but this title often causes confusion for drivers some of whom believe that, if parking on a double yellow line is no longer criminal, then it must be alright to park there! The City Council in order to avoid any confusion and to ensure that the introduction and subsequent operation of the scheme continues along a structured path, decided to call the process a "Parking Enforcement Plan" (PEP) - Phase I.
 
It is no secret that here in Peterborough parking enforcement was a bit "hit and miss" and neither the police nor the local authority were happy with that situation. Local businesses and residents alike told us that all types of parking restrictions needed improved enforcement with robust policies and procedures in place that would be enforced in a fair and consistent way. The fact is the police, or to be more precise, the traffic warden service, with its dwindling numbers and other commitments was not able to cope adequately with enforcing parking infringements across the whole unitary authority area. This is why the City Council took the decision in November 2002 to apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for a designation order to take over the powers to carry out parking enforcement in Peterborough.
 

What are some of the beneficial impacts of the PEP

 

  • There will be an ability to manage traffic more effectively and contribute measures towards an integrated transport strategy that falls in line with the Council's Local Transport Plan
  • It will enable the Council, in consultation with local people, to introduce meaningful policies on parking, decide how and when any enforcement is to be applied and then carry out that enforcement
  • Drivers will find it easier to find a parking space on the street and with a fairer distribution of parking space more vehicles can be parked each day - a definite bonus for shops and other businesses
  • Public transport operators will see better movement of their vehicles that will ultimately result in more predictable journey times again benefiting those coming into the city
  • There will be significantly less illegal parking on single and double yellow lines and other restricted parking areas that currently serve to frustrate other road and footpath users
  • There will be a single enforcement regime that will give the general public a simpler and more effective perception of parking enforcement
  • Environmental conditions will be improved through the reduction in illegally parked vehicles that currently force others to circulate in their search for a parking space

 

What happens next - PEP Phase II?


The good news is that the Phase II project which is already underway, has a long-term view that will aim to address all anomalies that have materialised over time. It is an attempt to introduce a parking regime that is sensible, pragmatic, sensitive to shoppers and businesses alike and that ensures all forms of parking is fair and equitable for everyone. You can be assured that you, along with everyone else in Peterborough likely to be affected by any changes, will be consulted at every opportunity and most certainly before any changes are introduced. There is no doubt that together we can begin to make a significant difference for everyone and, from a transportation perspective, help make Peterborough the place to be in the Eastern Region.
 
If you require further information regarding PEP work, please contact:
 
David Plater FInstLM
Project Development Manager

Peterborough City Council
Transport & Engineering Services
Peterborough City Council. Town Hall, Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1QT - (01733) 747474 - DX12310 Peterborough 1