Parking to become fairer and more transparent

Herefordshire motorists will benefit from fairer and clearer parking systems as new regulations come into force on March 31, 2008.

One of the major changes is the ability to issue lower penalties for less serious parking offences.

As an example, a car parked in a goods vehicle only loading bay, which might mean an HGV having to double park to unload, will pay a higher penalty (£70) than someone who parks for longer than the permitted time (£50). There is no change to the existing discount period of 14 days during which the charge payable is reduced by 50 per cent.

The Traffic Management Act 2004 also makes it clear that councils should not set targets for the number of tickets issued and that wheel clamping is only used against persistent offenders.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "As we do not set targets for tickets issued or use wheel clamping, then we are already delivering what is seen as good practice.

"Under the new regulations, councils also have to make it clearer as to how a motorist can appeal but as we already include an information sheet with every Penalty Charge Notice issued so, again, we are already doing this," he added.

From March 31, Herefordshire Council is also to publish its protocols which make up the authority's Parking Policy. These relate to enforcement on the streets and in car parks and how the council deals with appeals and representations. It will make it easier for the motorist to find out how to avoid getting a parking ticket and, if they do, then the way appeals are dealt with is clearly explained.

These protocols will be on the website and available to read in all the INFO shops.

One major change that Herefordshire will be adopting is the ability to issue a Penalty Charge Notice by post if a motorist prevents it being issued at the scene by driving away. However, strict controls are in place as to the evidence that has to be provided by the Civil Enforcement Officers (previously known as Parking Attendants) before this can happen.