Traffic wardens back in towns

Crackdown on inconsiderate drivers

A new parking enforcement scheme came into force yesterday (Wednesday, September 19) in North Lanarkshire’s town centres.

North Lanarkshire Council has employed a team of four parking attendants and a supervisor to enforce on-street parking restrictions.

They will issue penalty charge notices to vehicles parked in contravention of the rules.

Parking, waiting and loading rules are set out by single and double yellow lines on the road, markings on kerbs and street signs.

Fixed penalty charge notices are £60, with a reduction to £30 if paid within 14 days. “Drivers who park correctly and safely are not affected by the new scheme,” said the council’s assistant chief executive Robert Steenson.

“However, drivers who park on yellow lines, in loading bays or stay all day in short-term bays will face a £60 penalty charge notice.

“The scheme is designed to address inconsiderate parking that breaks the rules, causing traffic congestion and preventing drivers using shortterm spaces to call into shops or local businesses.

“The rules for parking are set out on the signs and road markings in our streets, and these are fully explained on our web site at www. northlanarkshire.gov.uk/parking.”

Flyers have been placed on cars within town centres over the last week to inform drivers about the enforcement scheme.

Money from the penalty charge notices will be used to offset the operational costs of the scheme, and any additional money will be ring-fenced and used by the council to improve the local road network.

The new parking enforcement scheme comes seven years after Police Scotland withdrew the traffic warden service.

A report that went before councillors stated: “Since the removal of a dedicated parking warden service, parking enforcement has not been a police priority.

“This has led to a rise in indiscriminate parking across the council’s road network.”