The council took over enforcement of on street parking contraventions from the police on 1 March 2010.
This change was as a result of the Government - under the Traffic Management Act 2004 - encouraging councils to take on civil parking enforcement powers, releasing the police and allowing them to tackle more serious crimes.
What has changed?
The council previously had responsibility, under the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, for the enforcement of off street parking in North Lincolnshire; with on street enforcement being undertaken by Humberside Police.
From 1 March 2010 North Lincolnshire Council took over all enforcement, both on and off street, under the Traffic Management Act 2004. This is known as civil parking enforcement.
What is the reason for the change?
The main objective of civil parking enforcement is to:
- Help reduce traffic congestion
- Improve road and pedestrian safety
- Improve access for public transport, cyclists and blue badge holders
- Release Police resources to concentrate on criminal activities.
There are three key features of the Traffic Management Act:
- Consistency - by providing a system that is fair to the motorist whilst providing effective parking enforcement
- Transparency - by providing a single framework for parking enforcement, and making parking regulations more transparent and easier for the general public to understand
- Fairness - the introduction of the two charging bands means that the penalty charge is more closely aligned with the seriousness of the contravention.
How does the council enforce the parking restrictions?
A review of all traffic regulation orders within North Lincolnshire has been undertaken and these are all clearly defined by signs and road markings on the highway.
If you are in any doubt where, or for how long you can legally park, check these markings and signs. Pavements and verges are part of the public highway and are covered by any yellow lines in the carriageway or alongside them. Parking on a pavement or verge in order to avoid parking on yellow lines is therefore still a contravention.
Enforcement is undertaken by civil enforcement officers employed by the council. They enforce all yellow lines and other waiting restrictions in the area. Motorists who fail to comply with parking restrictions will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).