New parking regulations have come into force in England despite concerns over the use of CCTV footage to enforce rules and level fines.
New parking regulations have come into force in England despite concerns over the use of CCTV footage to enforce rules and level fines.
Varying charges can now be levied - with larger fines for serious offences and lower ones for minor misdemeanours such as overstaying at a parking meter.
Varying charges can now be levied - with larger fines for serious offences and lower ones for minor misdemeanours such as overstaying at a parking meter.
The AA said it was concerned that using CCTV footage was unfair on drivers.
The AA said it was concerned that using CCTV footage was unfair on drivers.
But the Local Government Association said motorists inconvenienced by errant parkers would "at last get justice".
But the Local Government Association said motorists inconvenienced by errant parkers would "at last get justice".
'High standard'
'High standard'
Caroline Sheppard, the chief adjudicator of the new penalties, told the Times newspaper that it would be made easier for drivers to appeal against "unfair" penalties and that drivers will be given the benefit of the doubt in any disputes.
Caroline Sheppard, the chief adjudicator of the new penalties, told the Times newspaper that it would be made easier for drivers to appeal against "unfair" penalties and that drivers will be given the benefit of the doubt in any disputes.
She said drivers would be able to have their appeals heard by telephone instead of attending hearings or ask for appeals to be switched to their home town.
She said drivers would be able to have their appeals heard by telephone instead of attending hearings or ask for appeals to be switched to their home town.
And drivers receiving tickets by post several days after an alleged offence will not necessarily be expected to have kept evidence they were parked legally - such as pay-and-display tickets, she said.
And drivers receiving tickets by post several days after an alleged offence will not necessarily be expected to have kept evidence they were parked legally - such as pay-and-display tickets, she said.
"The adjudicator will require councils to have a very high standard of evidence," the Times quoted her as saying.
"The adjudicator will require councils to have a very high standard of evidence," the Times quoted her as saying.
One of the conditions of the new parking rules is that councils will not be allowed to use parking fines as a way of raising revenue.
One of the conditions of the new parking rules is that councils will not be allowed to use parking fines as a way of raising revenue.
In addition, they will no longer be allowed to set targets for the number of tickets issued.
In addition, they will no longer be allowed to set targets for the number of tickets issued.
Furthermore, the government is "strongly advising" councils to only use wheel-clamping against those who persistently evade their penalty charges.
Furthermore, the government is "strongly advising" councils to only use wheel-clamping against those who persistently evade their penalty charges.
Transport minister Rosie Winterton said: "Parking rules exist to help beat congestion and improve road safety. These regulations will help make parking enforcement fairer, clearer and more open."
Transport minister Rosie Winterton said: "Parking rules exist to help beat congestion and improve road safety. These regulations will help make parking enforcement fairer, clearer and more open."
CCTV 'delays'
CCTV 'delays'
The AA's head of road policy Paul Watters said he broadly welcomed the changes, but was hesitant about the use of CCTV, preferring "real-time" tickets given to drivers or fixed to their cars.
The AA's head of road policy Paul Watters said he broadly welcomed the changes, but was hesitant about the use of CCTV, preferring "real-time" tickets given to drivers or fixed to their cars.
"It does introduce an element of delay, because these things won't land on people's doormats for a few weeks perhaps, so you've forgotten the offence probably," he said.
"It does introduce an element of delay, because these things won't land on people's doormats for a few weeks perhaps, so you've forgotten the offence probably," he said.
Just issuing a fine actually doesn't move the traffic along at all Barrie SegalAppealNow.com
Just issuing a fine actually doesn't move the traffic along at all Barrie SegalAppealNow.com
"It doesn't give you an opportunity to check the signs and lines and make sure everything's in order," he said.
"It doesn't give you an opportunity to check the signs and lines and make sure everything's in order," he said.
"So we don't want to see authorities going headlong into using CCTV because I think there are problems inherent in that system."
"So we don't want to see authorities going headlong into using CCTV because I think there are problems inherent in that system."
Barrie Segal, founder of AppealNow.com - a website which advises drivers on how to challenge penalty fines - told the BBC the new system had fundamental flaws.
Barrie Segal, founder of AppealNow.com - a website which advises drivers on how to challenge penalty fines - told the BBC the new system had fundamental flaws.
"If I were trying to move traffic along and I saw - on a camera - that somebody was parked incorrectly, I'd make sure somebody went along and said would you please move the car.
"If I were trying to move traffic along and I saw - on a camera - that somebody was parked incorrectly, I'd make sure somebody went along and said would you please move the car.
those selfish individuals who park in main roads out of cities will finally get their comeuppance David SparksLocal Government Association
those selfish individuals who park in main roads out of cities will finally get their comeuppance David SparksLocal Government Association
"Just issuing a fine actually doesn't move the traffic along at all, but the government and the local authorities would have us believe that that does."
"Just issuing a fine actually doesn't move the traffic along at all, but the government and the local authorities would have us believe that that does."
But David Sparks of the Local Government Association defended the changes.
But David Sparks of the Local Government Association defended the changes.
"It'll mean that those selfish individuals who park in main roads out of cities will finally get their comeuppance, and the hundreds of thousands of other motorists who are inconvenienced by them will at last get some justice," he said
"It'll mean that those selfish individuals who park in main roads out of cities will finally get their comeuppance, and the hundreds of thousands of other motorists who are inconvenienced by them will at last get some justice," he said
"It'll also mean that there'll be the same systems throughout the country and the money raised from any fines will go towards the motorist - ie it'll be spent on roads maintenance, the enforcement system or street lighting."
"It'll also mean that there'll be the same systems throughout the country and the money raised from any fines will go towards the motorist - ie it'll be spent on roads maintenance, the enforcement system or street lighting."
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