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Safer, fairer Parking across the Borough

SAFER, FAIRER PARKING FOR ALL

Council to take over parking enforcement across the borough

STARTS 14 JANUARY 2008

Thousands of vehicles use the Royal Borough's streets and roads every day, most of them driven and parked by responsible, thoughtful people.

However one thoughtless driver parking in the wrong place is not only dangerous but can also cause significant traffic delays and queuing and put themselves and other road users at risk.

Parking needs to be well managed to make it safer and fairer for all and that's why on Monday 14 January 2008 the Royal Borough will become a Special Parking Area (SPA) with the Council in charge of enforcement instead of the police.

This is called Decriminalised Parking Enforcement and it means Council Parking Attendants will be on patrol with full authority to enforce parking regulations across the Borough.

Picture of a car parked on yellow lines The Council aims to:

encourage sensible and safe parking for the benefit of everyone
reduce the risk of accidents caused by dangerous parking
increase parking turnover to make better use of the available parking spaces
reduce pollution by cutting queuing times for parking places
end confusion about who is responsible for parking enforcement - the Council or the Police?

Cllr Colin Rayner, Lead Member for Highways, Transport and Environment, said: "We are totally committed to ensuring safer, fairer parking for everyone. Good progress is being made through the maze of red tape and complex preparation that needs to be done before we take over responsibility from the Police and we will be up and running by 14 January next year.

Picture of a car parked at a bus stop We believe this will enable the Police to focus their attention on fighting crime and disorder and help reduce crime figures in the future.

Local people and visitors will notice a difference from day one. The high profile team will be on the streets and in town centres, where the thoughtless, selfish parking of some freeloaders is currently causing serious issues for pedestrians and businesses and demonstrating utter contempt for the law."

Questions:

BLUE BADGES

If you are a Disabled Blue Badge holder, please remember to park in designated disabled parking areas and in accordance with the guidance issued with your badge. You can help by displaying your badge and clock correctly.

FUNDING THE SPA

Under the current system, money collected in parking fines goes to central government but the SPA will mean that all income from PCNs will stay with the Council to fund the scheme and enable it to be self-financing. The PCN level is set by the government and if there is any money left over, it must be spent on improvements to parking, transport and the environment within the Borough.

For further information about the Special Parking Area, please write, email or call :

The Parking Team
Town Hall
St Ives Road
Maidenhead SL6 1RF
Tel: 01628 683880
Email: parking@rbwm.gov.uk

At a later stage you will also be able to use maps online on the Borough's website to check where parking restrictions are in force on local streets.

Remember, the existing parking and waiting restrictions throughout the borough stay exactly the same. The only change is that from Monday 14 January 2008 the Council will be in charge of enforcement instead of the Police.