New parking rules attacked

The Conservatives have criticised new parking regulations which could see offending motorists receive their tickets in the post.

The move will mean that various charges can be levied depending on the offence, and will change the name from "parking attendants" to "civil enforcement officers".

Officers will be encouraged to clampdown on persistent offenders and there will be a "one-stop shop" website set up for those wanting to appeal against a fine.

Challenges against tickets will be put before the new adjudication service, the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.

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."

Local Government Association transport spokesman David Sparks said: "Everyone hates congestion and delays to their journey and the new regulations will help councils deliver more effective parking management to improve traffic flow and make the roads safer for everybody.

"The majority of motorists won't really notice any real difference when the new rules come into effect .

"The introduction of postal penalty notices will allow local authorities to clampdown on the minority of unscrupulous motorists who flout parking regulations by driving off while a notice is being issued."

However, shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: "These changes haven't been thought through properly, creating a lot of confusion among motorists. Parking enforcement should always be carried out in a proportionate and fair way.

"This becomes even more important with a move to more camera-based enforcement where motorists receive parking tickets in the post, making it increasingly difficult for the public to gather evidence needed to make an appeal."

The AA also raised concerns about the use of CCTV footage in issuing tickets. "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," said head of road policy Paul Watters. 

"It doesn't give you an opportunity to check the signs and lines and make sure everything's in order.

"So we don't want to see authorities going headlong into using CCTV because I think there are problems inherent in that system."