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Parking enforcement

Introduction

Since 31 March 2008, Calderdale Council has been operating new parking regulations called Civil Parking Enforcement. It will make parking enforcement fairer and more transparent, and provide motorists with a consistent challenges service.

Civil Parking Enforcement is part of the Traffic Management Act (2004), which is aimed at keeping traffic moving.  It includes higher penalty charges for more serious contraventions, such as parking on double yellow lines, and lower charges for other contraventions, such as displaying an expired pay and display ticket.

How does it affect you?

Parking regulations have stayed the same – the only difference is that the Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers (the new title for Parking Attendants) are responsible for enforcing a few more regulations instead of the Police.
If you park correctly, this change won’t affect you.

If you don’t park correctly, you are likely to receive a Penalty Charge Notice ( PCN) under the new regime. There will be two levels of Penalty Charges depending on the severity of contraventions. The higher penalty will be £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days). The lower penalty will be £50 (reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days).

Why are we doing it?

Parking in the wrong place at the wrong time can cause congestion, delays, accidents and inconvenience. It can impede access for pedestrians and other road users including emergency vehicles such as fire engines and ambulances when lives may be at risk.

We aim to provide enforcement across the Borough to ensure that parking policies are enforced effectively and consistently, which will benefit all the residents, workers and visitors of Calderdale. The benefits of enforcement include:

• improved road safety,
• reduced congestion,
• improved access for emergency service vehicles,
• more efficient public transport,
• improved pedestrian access,
• more chance of parking near to where you live,
• a cleaner environment,
•  income from PCN’s reinvested locally in improving transportation.

What if I get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)?

If you receive a Penalty Charge Notice ( PCN) you will have 28 days to pay, however if you pay within 14 days a 50% discount will apply i.e. £25 if the Charge is for £50, or £35 if the Charge is for £70.

If you do not pay the PCN we will take steps to recover the money from you, the amount may increase and as a last resort we may register the debt with the County Court.

If you feel the PCN was issued incorrectly you should write to us and tell us why.

If you write to us we will carefully consider all the relevant facts, any mitigating circumstances and all information relating to the contravention. We will write back to you with our decision and where necessary provide you with details of how to appeal to an Independent Adjudicator against our decision. Please note that if you write to us within 14 days of the PCN being issued, the Charge will be put on hold whilst we consider your case, and the full discount period would usually be reinstated if your challenge was unsuccessful.

Important
Do not ignore your PCN or any associated correspondence from us as you may have to pay additional fees on top of the original charge.

Where does the money go?

Calderdale Council will use the income generated to fund the parking operation. Any surplus money will be spent on improving parking facilities and thereafter, transportation and traffic improvements locally, benefiting the whole community.
Civil Enforcement Officers are NOT on commission or bonuses related to the number of PCN’s issued.

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