Parking scheme raises £11,000

MORE than £11,000 has been raised from the new parking enforcement scheme in Lochaber in its first three months.

As part of a £ 550,000 plan by the Highland Council, parking enforcement officers (PEOs) have been patrolling Fort William since October 3, 2016.

Initially only warning notices were issued but after an introductory period to allow drivers to familiarise themselves with the new terms and conditions was extended, £60 fines have been handed to anyone caught parking illegally since October 24.

Forty- one fines were issued during the remainder of October. The number rose as high as 86 in November and fell again to 68 in December. Providing all the fines have been paid, the penalties should have earned the Highland Council £11,700.

A spokesperson for Highland Council (HC) explained: ‘Money raised through the issue of penalty charge notices (PCNs) will only be spent on maintaining the service and any surplus can only be used for traffic-related projects. Police Scotland will still be responsible for reportable traffic offences on all roads, such as dangerous parking or obstruction.’

In Inverness, the number of PCNs issued also rose from 322 in October to 1,030 in November before falling to 593 in December, meaning a staggering £116,620 is owed to the council.

While it is unclear whether or not the scheme has been effective in deterring drivers in the Highlands from parking where they should not, the HC says overall the response has been positive.

The spokesperson added: ‘Generally the enforcement activities have been welcomed and we are seeing a reduction in parking contraventions.’