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7 Aug 01Parking Enforcement Changes in Poole
Streets in Poole will come under new management next April, when the Borough of Poole takes over enforcement of parking restrictions from the Police.
Currently, Council employed Parking Wardens patrol and enforce controls in car parks, whilst Police Traffic Wardens enforce on-street parking restrictions, such as double yellow lines and residents parking areas. From 2 April 2002 onwards, the Borough of Poole will be responsible for all parking enforcement, both on- and off-street.
Councillor Bob Williams, Executive Spokesperson for Environment and Prosperity, said: "By taking on these new responsibilities, the Council aims to put more resources into tackling congestion and safety hazzards brought about by illegal parking and to ensure residents parking zones are properly enforced. Obstructions on the roads, cycleways, pavements or bus lanes can be both dangerous and slow down the flow of traffic and residents who pay for Residents Permits are naturally angry when they see other motorists flouting the regulations."
"From next April, the Council will have the power and resources not only to increase enforcement but also to target it more closely on known trouble spots. Our new team of 18 Parking Attendants will be able to pay particular attention to areas where illegal parking is causing nuisance or distress to residents."
This new role for Local Authorities is part of a national Government initiative, which allows Councils to keep the money collected from parking fines in order to finance enforcement of parking controls.
Editor's notes:
The Government first introduced this scheme in London and from 1995 extended the scheme to the whole country. In order to encourage local authorities to take on this new responsibility the government allowed local authorities to keep the money from the parking tickets they issued to cover the costs of the new system. However, the Government sets the levels of the fines and has clearly stated that any surplus money can only be spent on improvements to the transportation system. The penalty for getting a parking ticket will be £60, which is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
Eugene Leal, Transportation Services, tel. 01202 262060.
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