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News Release 4

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2 February 2008

PARKING CHANGES ARE ON THE WAY

Major changes to the way Councils enforce parking are on the way as the Civil Parking Enforcement Regulations come into effect on 31 March 2008. The new regulations, part of national changes under the Traffic Management Act 2004, aim to make parking fairer and more transparent, and provide motorists with a consistent service across the country.

Under the new regulations, there will be two levels of penalty charges, depending on the severity of the contravention. An example of a serious contravention would be holding up traffic or causing danger to other road users (including preventing access for emergency vehicles) and would carry a penalty of £70. A less serious contravention would carry the lower penalty of £50. As is presently the case, both penalties will be discounted by 50% if paid within 14 days.

The regulations also mean that employees involved in parking enforcement will be given improved training, there are requirements on openness and transparency for parking information, and in some circumstances, a parking charge can be posted directly to the registered keeper of the vehicle. Independent adjudicators will have increased powers, to refer appeal cases about parking charges back to the District Council if they consider that a Council should have used its discretion to cancel the penalty charge earlier.

Kent Highway Services, with District Councils across Kent, including Dover District Council, have produced a leaflet, which summarises the new regulations, and sets out which contraventions incur the higher tariff and which incur the lower tariff. They have also created a guidance document setting out cancellation policies. Both documents are available on Council websites, together with detailed information about parking policies.

Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC Cabinet Member for Access and Property Management said:
“Together with all local authorities in the country, we are introducing these measures under the Act that will help to reassure people that authorities are working to ensure parking management and enforcement is a fair and consistent service, with a result of safer roads, a good turnaround of available spaces and less congestion.”
 
For more information please visit the website at www.dover.gov.uk/parking or call Parking Services on (01304) 216868 or visit www.kent.gov.uk/highways

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Is there an end in sight to the mean streets?

Looks like there could be. Check out this latest press release from DDC....Leave your comment below.


WORK BEGINS ON SITE PREPARING
FOR TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION

Ground breaking regeneration work for the future of the district has begun on site with a look at the past - as initial archaeological survey work is launched for the massive multi million pound regeneration of Dover Town Centre.

An expert team has started work at the St James’s site, with initial archaeological surveys, soil investigations and specialist geotechnical studies. The work is being carried out on behalf of Bond City and Asda.

This follows the agreement of DDC’s Cabinet to undertake legal processes to enable the development to move forward, and comes as major progress continues to be made on this key development. The Charringtons site and Dolphin House have been acquired and the new Stagecoach depot at Whitfield is due to open shortly, freeing the old Russell Street depot for demolition. This all follows close work between DDC and other Dover Pride partners, including South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and English Partnerships.

The major development includes a 85,000 square ft store, with additional shop and restaurant space, a 100 bedroom hotel, 53 affordable homes and a 600 space car park. Plans for the site, which could bring more than 500 jobs to the area, were submitted by developer Bond City and Asda, and approved by planners last year.

Cllr Frederick Scales, Cabinet Member for Economy and Special Projects, said: “This is a very exciting step as this look at the past represents the start of work on site to realize this pivotal site in delivering Dover’s first phase of major regeneration. We continue to work closely with all our partners on this key site, and once this survey work is completed, the next step will see the demolition of the former bus depot.”

Richard Lawrence, Dover Pride Programme Manager said: “The partnership is committed to the renaissance of the town and the DTIZ project will be a catalyst for further investment bringing about a positive change for the people of Dover.”
 
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FREEDOM PASS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WELCOMED ( DDC Release)

Dover District Council is welcoming news that the Kent Freedom Pass for unlimited travel on public bus services for young people will be available in the district this summer. The pass will be available for 11-16 year olds in Dover District from June. The KCC scheme allows unlimited travel for a year for an annual payment of £50.

Cllr Nigel Collor, DDC Cabinet Member for Access said: “This is great news and is something we have been asking for in our area for some time. We are delighted that KCC have brought the scheme forward for Dover District. The scheme, which is available seven days a week, will help ease congestion and pollution, as well as help students access further education. This will assist in making transport easier and more affordable for young people.”

Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, DDC Cabinet Member for Citizenship said: “This is important news for the district. The introduction of the freedom pass and improved transportation are key action points identified in the Youth Strategy, based on priorities identified by young people in the district. The scheme will help young people to access more out of school activities. It is vital that young people’s voices are heard and we continue to work hard to ensure young people have a say in services for the future.”

For more information, please log onto www.kent.gov.uk/kentfreedompass .
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Jan 29:The Immigration Minister Liam Byrne paid a flying visit to the Port of Dover earlier today, Jan 29. He spoke to the media to draw attention to a new Border Force which will come into operation later this year. It will be a combination of Customs and Immigration Officers and should in theory prove very effective in the fight against bigtime smugglers, people who make literally millions from human suffering and human transportation.

"Criminals dont make any distinction between people and goods" said Minister Byrne
"They smuggle both because they stand to make a lot of money from the illegal trade.
Thats why we need this new organisation - The UK Border Agency - to stop it."


Mr Byrne went on....
"The single Border Force is the public face of the biggest shake-up of Britain's border security for 40 years"

In the picture above you can see Liam Byrne, who was accompanied throughout the visit by our local MP Gwyn Prosser, and both are pictured here talking to local newspaper reporters Rhys Griffiths of the Dover Express on the left, and Beth Robson of the Dover Mercury on the right.

Mr Byrne appears to all as a very dynamic Immigration Minister. He listened attentively to all information passed to him today by Dover's officials and is powering ahead with an invigorating 10 point plan on all things to do with immigration. Too much to add on here, but very far reaching and encouraging.
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