Crackdown on illegal parking

The council will take over responsibility for the enforcement of on-street parking and waiting restrictions from Dyfed Powys Police on Friday, April 1. 

 

Any vehicle found parked illegally will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) by the Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) team.

 

By encouraging motorists to comply with parking restrictions in car parks and out on the road, the new system aims to improve road safety, traffic flow and the environment.

 

Dyfed Powys Police will no longer be able to issue fines for parking offences, other than dangerous parking and obstructions, after this date.

 

Cllr Geraint Hopkins, Board Member for Local and Environmental Services, said: “The system aims to improve conditions and safety of drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities, as well as the reliability of public transport.

 

“It intends to reduce the misuse of disabled parking bays and delays to emergency vehicles. We also hope it will help tackle problem parking around schools and residential areas.”

 

Chief Inspector Peter Roderick, of Dyfed Powys Police, said: "We fully support the transfer of parking enforcement powers across to the council as clearly this is the way forward. "Traditionally, the police have enforced all parking prohibition offences and I'm pleased that we are now able to hand these types of enforcement issues to the appropriate authority as catered for under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

 

"We are working very closely with the council to ensure that the required transfer of our Police Traffic Wardens across to the council occurs in a timely and all effective manner. It will be sad to see the end of an era with the our traffic wardens booking off duty with us for the last time on the 31 March this year.

 

"However this represents progress for the county with the obvious benefits that come with the concept of Civil Parking Enforcement.”

 

The PCN will be £50 or £70 depending on the seriousness of the contravention. A discount of 50 per cent will apply if the penalty is paid within 14 days, reducing the charge to £25 or £35.

 

All revenue from on-street penalty charges has to be used by the council to fund enforcement and administration of the scheme and any surplus will fund local parking, highway and transport improvements.

 

Top tips to avoid a fine

 

- Don’t park where yellow lines, waiting or loading restrictions are in force

- Always read the road signs, they tell you what restrictions apply

- Don’t park on zigzag lines

- Only park in loading bays if you are loading / unloading goods

- Only park in bays reserved for disabled badge holders if you are entitled to do so

- Make sure you have paid and displayed in car parks

- Make sure you have paid and displayed in car parks