Parking Enforcement Policy

Enforcement priorities

In planning operational enforcement to achieve the above objectives, there will be an order of priority in terms of the various restrictions which are in place across the borough. The order of priority which has been adopted is shown below.

Prioirty Type of Restriction
1 School keep clear “zig-zag” markings
2 Bus lanes and bus stops/bays
3 Peak period waiting and loading
4 Single/double yellow on strategic routes
5 Pedestrianised Areas waiting/loading
6 Pedestrianised Areas taxi ranks, blue badge
7 Pay & Display
8 Residents’ permit spaces
9 Road junctions – where restrictions exist.
10 District shopping areas – any restrictions
11 Double yellow on non-strategic routes
12 Environmental
13 All others

However, in practical terms Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) will issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) for any / all contraventions which they observe when in a particular area. This approach is clearly the most effective / efficient way for enforcement to be carried out. Any other approach would require CEOs to leave an area where vehicles are parked in contravention if the nature of the contravention was not first on the list of priorities.

Throughout the daytime period the main arterial routes remain a priority together with the town centre areas. Enforcement of the various Residents Parking Schemes (RPS) (where they are established in outlying areas) district shopping areas, etc will be carried out by mobile CEOs.

During evenings the approach adopted is to deploy CEOs to patrol areas of the town centre and satellite towns where experience has shown that parking in contravention takes place. Because of the high risk of aggressive behaviour during evenings, a police officer is sometimes employed to accompany the CEOs. This method of evening enforcement reduces the potential for assault upon CEOs, but still enables the town centre area and satellite towns to be enforced.