Night patrols lead to reduction in parking tickets

TRAFFIC wardens in Dundee have issued fewer tickets since a crackdown on illegal parking at night was launched.

Dundee City Council gave motorists just 72 hours’ notice they were to begin sending out traffic wardens at night from the start of August.

City development convener Lynne Short said the move had been made following complaints from residents about bad parking.

Figures released by the local authority in response to a freedom of information request revealed wardens have issued marginally fewer tickets since night-time ticketing was introduced.

But the council has refused to say how many of the 5,000 parking tickets issued in August and September this year were handed out at night.

It claimed it would cost more than £600 to provide this information and would thus be too expensive.

However, it did say 2,460 tickets were issued in August and another 2,695 in September.

Wardens issued 2,578 tickets in August 2016 and 2,740 the following month.

Motorists issued with parking tickets in Dundee must pay £30 if the fine is paid within 14 days and £60 thereafter.

The council was asked to say how many tickets had been issued between 5pm9am, but refused to divulge the information, although a spokesman said the new, stricter, parking regulations have been a success.

He said: “We’ve had positive feedback from people across the city that the introduction of night-time patrols has been easing problems caused by indiscriminate parking. Further information will be made available in our annual parking report.”

SNP Maryfield councillor Ms Short said the move has been “for the greater good”. She said: “It is just a reminder to people not to park in places they wouldn’t during the day.”

Lynne Short