Council leader hopes for less parking fines (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Council leader hopes for less parking fines

2:50pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009 in

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The leader of Chorley Council hopes a new car park enforcement scheme in the borough will see the number of fines drop.

Motorists are preparing to welcome a new start to the borough’s car parks as the controversial Parkwise enforcement scheme finishes after five years.

From Monday the local council will take control of parking enforcement on its own car parks, saving an estimated £30,000 per year.

And Coun Peter Goldsworthy hopes closer working between the enforcement team and motorists will see the number of penalties reduced.

He said: “I’ve been very honest about the new parking system – this was always about listening to people locally who disliked the Parkwise scheme and bringing control back to the town.

“My ideal outcome is that the number of penalty notices drops quickly and consistently – but we can only do this if people follow the rules. If everyone did this, there wouldn’t be one parking fine issued on Chorley’s car parks, which would be great news.”

The new scheme is an innovative partnership between the authority, seven other district councils in Lancashire and private companies Chipside and Legion to oversee ‘off-street’ parking in the town. Lancashire County Council will continue to enforce regulations around ‘on-street’ parking, which includes everywhere other than the car parks.

Coun Goldsworthy added: “The new arrangements will save money for council tax payers, improve the system and allow the council to have more control and say over how parking enforcement is run on its own car parks.

“It is clear from feedback from residents, visitors and local businesses, that this element of local control was very important to them.

“Our aim is to provide a fair system. Parking enforcement is never going to be hugely popular service, but it’s incredibly important to our local economy and we have to get it right.”

The new arrangements will include a team of officers patrolling the borough’s car parks in a new uniform clearly bearing the Chorley Council logo to make them instantly visible to motorists.