INCREASED PATROLS HELP TO CUT ILLEGAL PARKING (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

INCREASED PATROLS HELP TO CUT ILLEGAL PARKING

January 19, 2010 12:00 AM

Residents in York's ResPark areas are seeing fewer people illegally parking on their streets, thanks to an increase in enforcement patrols.

A new report from Council officers shows that streets now get an average of more than five patrols per week., two more than the target figure.

Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, Councillor Ann Reid said the increased patrols were helping to deter people from using residential streets as free car parks.

She said, "The ResPark scheme was introduced to ensure people had access to parking near their property. While the number of penalty notices issued to people parking without a permit in ResPark areas is decreasing it is important that we monitor the areas closely to ensure residents get the benefit of priority parking."

Overall the city has seen a fall in the number of penalty charges issued, with almost 5000 fewer tickets issued in 2008/09 compared with the previous year.

Councillor Reid said the figures, published in a report to the Neighbourhood Services Executive Member Decision Session, showed that the increased enforcement was having an impact on the number of people choosing to park illegally.

She said, "The aim of parking enforcement has to be about deterrence, not simply about issuing more tickets. It seems that the increased patrols are putting people off parking illegally, which is good news."

Councillor Reid said the introduction of pay by phone facilities to car parks had also contributed to fewer parking tickets being issued. She said, "Use of the pay by phone facility increased by 32% from 2007/08 to 2008/08."

"Paying by phone means people can top up their parking if they are delayed and avoid getting a ticket."