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31 Mar 08Changes to Parking Enforcement in Poole
Motorists and other road users will benefit from new traffic enforcement regulations from today, making the system fairer and clearer.
The Traffic Management Act is being introduced to give local government new powers to ease congestion by controlling activities such as roadworks and introducing changes to parking enforcement legislation.
Under the new system, Borough of Poole will be working even more closely with Bournemouth Borough Council 
and Dorset County Council to keep the highway network running as freely as possible for everyone.
A number of ways of tackling congestion are being introduced, including:
- Physical improvements to key junctions
- Encouraging walking and cycling
- Improving bus services and usage
- Better control and co-ordination of utility, private and highway works with other activities
- Use of new technology to provide better traffic management information
Parking enforcement is also changing to deal with illegally parked cars more effectively. Traffic wardens will now be called Civil Enforcement Officers, and will be able to issue two different levels of penalty charge for illegally parked cars.
Tickets issued for offences such as parking on yellow lines and in disabled bays, amongst others, will attract a higher level of charge of £70. Less serious offences such as overstaying time paid for in a pay and display car park will be at a lower level of charge of £50. Fines will be halved if they are paid within 14 days.
Civil enforcement officers will also have the power to send a ticket by post when drivers leave the scene during the issuing of a ticket.
John Sayers, Traffic Manager, Borough of Poole, said: "Borough of Poole is committed to addressing its responsibilities under the Traffic Management Act to effectively manage the highway network and reduce congestion. Car drivers are most likely to be aware of the changes in parking enforcement now but the effects of other initiatives, although less prominent, will help all highway users in the years ahead. "
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