Dover.uk.com

Parking Changes Are On The Way

Thursday, 13 March 2008
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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