Enforced Parking In The UK
20 May 2009On a daily basis in the UK, many thousands of cars need to find a place to park. The aim of Parking Services is to aid local councils in enforcing off street car parks as well as all parking regulations both off and on street.
Enforced parking in the UK is a way to reduce the amount of illegally parked vehicles which contribute to pollution and traffic congestion. Illegally parked cars and other vehicles interfere can obstruct access to shops, places of business and services and can also impede the response time of emergency vehicles.
Enforced parking encourages sensible parking and discourages inconsiderate parking which benefits everyone who uses the road, including pedestrians, cyclists and passengers. Enforced parking also benefits resident parking schemes.
Parking Legislation
Most drivers park their vehicles in designated parking spaces, but there are some motorists who contravene traffic regulations by parking illegally for instance on yellow lines, in spaces designated for bus stops, cycle lanes or residents parking areas. Apart from being dangerous and illegal, they are contravening the parking legislation act too. Council’s power to enforce parking derives from Acts of Parliament and this is one reason why parking jobs are so important to the smooth running of our towns and cities.
Most of the UK’s councils appoint contractors who employ teams of Civil Enforcement Officers, or parking attendants. Their job is not only to enforce the regulations while patroling streets and car parks, dressed in their easily recognisable blue uniforms, but they are also charged with the role of helping motorists. If a motorist is found contravening a Traffic Regulation Order, or TRO, they are issued a Penalty Charge Notice, or PCN.
