Civil parking enforcement and the Traffic Management Act

Changes in the law mean that councils can take over the enforcement of all on-street parking controls. The government wants councils to be responsible for enforcing controls and restrictions.

In Southampton the latest arrangements started on Monday 31 March 2008. On this date (under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act) the council's Parking Attendants were superceded by Civil Enforcement Officers to carry out on and off-street enforcement. In addition to the powers given to Parking Attendants, Civil Enforcement Officers (or CEO's) can enforce zig zag lines by pedestrian crossings, along with double parking and parking outside a dropped kerb. At this moment in time, Southampton City Council has decided not to enforce the last two contraventions until further notice.

The council has enforced the parking controls and restrictions rigorously but fairly from day one for everyone's benefit, and will continue to do so. The penalty charge has changed to a two tier system with a higher charge for those contraventions deemed as being more serious, e.g. yellow line parking and and zig zag line parking, and a lower charge for those less serious contraventions e.g. exceeding the time on a pay and display ticket. The penalty charge should be paid within 28 days. The higher charge is £70 (reduced to £35 if payment is made within 14 days), and the lower charge is £50 (reduced to £25 if payment is made within 14 days). If no payment or appeal is received within 90 days, the penalty charge increases to £105 at the higher level, and £75 at the lower level.

However, If you believe that any of the existing controls and restrictions are not appropriate for today's conditions, the Council would like to hear from you.

NB

• The timetable for the introduction of civil bus lane and moving traffic enforcement has yet to be confirmed.

Can I appeal

You can contest a penalty charge if you believe that you have been "booked" unfairly but if the mistake is yours you are unlikely to be successful. All communication should be in writing. Please complete and submit the 'Penalty charge appeal form' located to the right of this page.

The traffic penalty tribunal (see link on the right of this page) has been set up to ensure that unresolved legal disputes between the motorist and the council can be heard at a formal tribunal hearing. This body is completely independent of the council.

All unpaid penalty charge notices will be processed through a streamlined county court system with collection of unpaid charges culminating in bailiff action.

The parking controls and restrictions are introduced for a purpose, for example to prevent accidents, to control cars causing problems in residential streets and to reduce traffic congestion which causes severe pollution.

• Yellow lines help to reduce accidents by preventing people from parking dangerously

• Yellow lines help to maintain traffic flow and reduce congestion

• Yellow lines allow loading and unloading of goods for a short period

• Yellow lines make sure everyone can get access to places safely

• Bus stop clearways keep bus stops safe for passengers

• Time limits in parking zones help to ensure visitors can find somewhere to park throughout the day

• Spaces for blue badge holders provide safe and accessible parking for them.

• Residents parking facilities mean residents can park near their homes

• Taxi ranks and coach stands assist public transport

• Motor cycle bays help two wheeled transport

The varied controls and restrictions are all in common use nationwide as indicated in the Highway Code.

How to avoid incurring a penalty charge.

Do PARK RIGHT

• Park safely

• Park where permitted - use spaces provided and park between the marked lines

• Check the controls for time limits - they vary a lot

• Move off within the time limit

• Have consideration for other people

• Use and display your disabled person's badge properly

• Load and unload as quickly as possible

• Read the Highway Code to refresh your memory of the meaning of markings

Do not:

• Cause an obstruction

• Park on bus stop clearways even to drop people off

• Assume that you will get away with contravening the parking regulations

For further information or if you have any queries please call the parking team on 023 8083 4600 between 08.30am - 4.30pm