The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Thirteen tickets prove unlucky
A MOTORIST who allegedly failed to pay 13 parking penalty tickets has had the offending vehicle confiscated in a dramatic move by highways bosses.
The “last resort” action was carried out at an address in Figtree Walk in Welland, Peterborough, yesterday after officials at Peterborough City Council lost patience with what they claimed was the motorist’s refusal to pay the fines, which totalled £879.
The Vauxhall Astra car will now be held in a compound for a week and if the full amount and charges are not paid it will be sold at auction.
The council says the 13 parking tickets, which were collected at various locations around Peterborough, were issued between October 23 last year and May 4.
Councillor David Seaton, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “This action sends a strong message to residents and visitors to Peterborough that the city council will not tolerate persistent non-payment of fines.
“We continue to chase outstanding fines until the money has been collected, using the enforcement powers available to us.
“This is a great example of cross-working between council departments.
“Information is being shared between our income and parking enforcement teams to enable us to take action against the most persistent offenders - those who have accumulated outstanding fines and appear to have no intention of paying.
“A parking ticket debt does not die. The longer the debt is left, then the higher it becomes.
“If a parking fine is paid within 14 days of receiving it, the cost is £35 or £25 depending on the con- travention.
“This doubles after 14 days and can increase by a further 50 per cent. This is in stark contrast to the potential costs of having your vehicle clamped or removed, which could run into hundreds of pounds.”
A council spokeswoman added: “The removal of vehicles is a last resort when penalties go unpaid.”
Motorists are issued with a parking ticket, or penalty charge notice (PCN) for breaking a parking regulation which is then fixed to their vehicle by a traffic warden.
The owner has 14 days to pay 50 per cent of the charge and after that time the full amount becomes due. After 28 days the council apply to the DVLA for details of the vehicle keeper and then send a Notice to Owner.
The Notice to Owner gives details of how to pay and also what to do if they do not agree with the PCN.
If no representation is received after a further 14 days then a surcharge is added (this is 50 per cent of the original charge) – and a letter is sent at this stage.
After a further 21 days another letter is sent warning the owner that the case will be referred to the Traffic Enforcement Centre (TEC) for registration of the PCN as a debt.