12 December 2006
ILLEGAL PARKERS PAY THE PENALTY ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND
Almost 14,000 illegal parkers have received parking tickets since the Department for Regional Development (DRD) became responsible for parking enforcement.
Since National Car Parks Ltd (NCP) started enforcing restrictions on behalf of DRD 13710 tickets were given out between 13 November to 9 December 2006.
For two weeks prior to 13 November NCP issued warning notices to illegally parked vehicles. These warning notices formed part of our public awareness campaign to highlight the introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE).
Simon Richardson, DRD's Road Service Parking Enforcement Manager, said: "This total figure represents an average of 571 tickets per day across the whole of Northern Ireland. Our aim is not to issue parking tickets, our aim is to encourage drivers to park properly. If people park properly, we won't have to issue parking tickets. However if people continue to park illegally our attendants will issue penalty charge notices.
"This new enforcement operation is good news for the law abiding motorist who adheres to the parking restrictions. However for those people who refuse to comply with the regulations, our message is simple - park properly or pay the penalty.
"DRD is working in partnership with NCP which is one of the leading parking companies in the UK. I am confident they are providing an efficient, high quality service across Northern Ireland. The performance targets within the contract are all based on the quality of the service provided and not on the number of tickets issued.
"Roads Service is continuing to work closely with NCP in all aspects of the contract to deliver our key objective for parking enforcement, namely, to reduce the number of illegally parked vehicles on our streets. This will in turn improve road safety, improve traffic flows and improve accessibility for all roads users," said Mr Richardson.
BREAKDOWN OF TICKETS ISSUED PER TOWN FOR PERIOD 13/11/06 - 9/12/06
Town No. of tickets issued Belfast 3329 Londonderry 1070 Newry 826 Lisburn 774 Armagh 286 Downpatrick 217 Enniskillen 936 Coleraine 617 Omagh 859 Cookstown 371 Dungannon 110 Portadown 417 Magherafelt 227 Limavady 61 Strabane 558 Banbridge 206 Larne 51 Lurgan 357 Ballymena 653 Ballymoney 177 Bangor 353 Newtownards 92 Antrim 245 Carrickfergus 139 Newtownabbey 127 NOTES TO EDITORS:
- DRD took over responsibility for the enforcement of on-street parking and waiting restrictions from the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 30 October.
- In 2001 the PSNI stated its intention to withdraw fully from such enforcement to target resources on areas of greater policing priority, including tasks related to road safety.
- The PSNI and Roads Service have been working in partnership since 2002 to take forward the process of changing parking infringements from being criminal offences to civil contraventions.
- From August to October 2003 the Department carried out public consultation on the proposals to decriminalise parking enforcement in Northern Ireland. The public consultation also set out the Department's intention to take powers to use advances in technology to assist in enforcement and to take powers to clamp or impound vehicles in certain circumstances. The proposals received general support.
- The report on the public consultation on the proposals to decriminalise parking offences can be viewed on the Roads Service website by clicking on the 'consultations' link at www.roadsni.gov.uk.
- From March to May 2005 the Department carried out a public consultation on the draft Traffic Management (NI) Order, to provide the primary legislative power to introduce decriminalised parking enforcement, DPE, in Northern Ireland. In July 2005 the Traffic Management (NI) Order 2005 was made in Parliament.
- The penalty charge for a parking ticket is £60 reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days of receiving the ticket. This £30 level is the same as a fixed penalty notice previously issued by the PSNI for parking offences.
- Following a rigorous procurement exercise National Car Parks Ltd was awarded the contract to provide parking enforcement and car park management services on 18 August 2006.
- The new Traffic Attendants only enforce parking and waiting restrictions. They do not have any responsibility for directing traffic. Responsibility for traffic direction remains with the PSNI. Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development Press Office, Tel 028 9054 0007.
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