www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is civil parking enforcement (CPE)?
Under the existing system in West Wiltshire, a parking offence is a breach of criminal law enforceable through the criminal justice system. The Road Traffic Act 1991 as amended by the Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA) allows a Highway Authority to apply to the Secretary of State to establish Special and Civil Enforcement Areas which once approved, transfers the responsibility for parking enforcement from the Police to the Highway Authority. The powers are therefore transferred to the County Council and the District Council will manage the enforcement on behalf of the County Council. The enforcement of the parking tickets known as Penalty Charge Notice’s (PCN’s,) which are issued to motorists who do not comply with the parking restrictions, under the new system of CPE become a civil debt as opposed to a criminal offence.
Q. When and where will the new system come into force?
The District of West Wiltshire will commence enforcement on 16th June 2008. All other districts which operated under the previous system of decriminalised parking enforcement automatically transfer to civil enforcement areas under the provisions of the Traffic Management Act as from 1st April 2008
Q. What will it mean for the motorist?
If you park correctly and comply with local traffic regulations, the change in enforcement will not affect you. However, due to the increased level of enforcement, if you break regulations you are more likely to receive a parking ticket.
Q. Will enforcement officers have targets to meet?
No, there will be no targets for the number of tickets issued and all civil enforcement officers will undergo comprehensive training to a nationally recognised standard of competence.
Q. Why are there different penalty charge levels?
Under new provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004, the Department for Transport has revised the penalty charge levels applicable for parking contraventions to affect a fine appropriate for the seriousness of the contravention. For example parking where it is prohibited (i.e. double yellow lines) will incur a £70 penalty whilst parking outside of a parking bay on street will incur a £50 penalty.
Q. How do I avoid getting a parking ticket?
Pay attention to the road signs and lines which indicate the restrictions in the area. Not all restrictions need a time plate or sign, for example due to changes in legislation, double yellow lines which mean ‘No parking at any time’, do not need a time plate. Wiltshire County Council is in the process of removing all of the unnecessary time plates.
Double yellow lines apply from boundary to boundary – this means that you must not park on an area of public highway behind the yellow lines (for example a footway or grass verge).
Q. Can I see a copy of the legal order for the parking restriction?
Yes, all traffic regulations orders made by the County council relating to waiting and parking restrictions on street are available through the Council Council’s and we are currently working on getting the on street parking orders for West Wiltshire, North Wiltshire and Kennet District on the Wiltshire County Council website during April 08.
The orders relating to the district council off street car parks (public car parks) are made by the district council and are will be available at the offices of West Wiltshire District Council
Q. What happens if I drive away when an enforcement officer is about to issue a ticket?
If the ticket has been processed and the officer is physically prevented from fixing the ticket to the windscreen, new legislation now allows the District Council to issue the penalty charge notice through the post
Q. What should I do if I get a parking ticket?
Contact West Wiltshire District Council – details of how to pay and what to do next will be shown on the back of the ticket. Do not ignore it – failure to pay will result in an increase in the penalty.
Q. Can I appeal a parking ticket?
Yes, in the first instance you may appeal to the District Council responsible for issuing the ticket. If the Council rejects your appeal, you may appeal to an independent tribunal known as The National Parking Adjudication Service (NPAS). The procedure will be explained to you by the District Council at each stage of the documentation process. For more details you can visit the NPAS website at www.parking-appeals.gov.uk.
Q. Will vehicles be clamped or towed away?
At the present time it is not intended to introduce clamping or removals but this is an option which could be considered in the future.
Q. What will the Police be responsible for?
The Police will remain responsible for moving traffic offences, matters of obstruction and other offences that still carry an endorsement penalty.
Q. Where does the money go?
Income from the payment of parking tickets will be used to fund the costs of enforcement.
Q. How do I ask for parking restrictions to be changed?
If you consider that the controls and restrictions are not appropriate for the current conditions or you would like additional restrictions to be considered, you can write to the address below. All requests will be considered at the appropriate time.
Q. How do I find out about the parking enforcement policies?
Contact the relevant District Council to find out more about their parking enforcement policies
Contact Details
By Post
The Director of Environmental Services
Environmental Services Department
Wiltshire County Council
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD
