Latest news with #PCNs
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
UK drivers fined nearly £1million extra after new rule starts
The RAC said the "enormously high number" of penalty charge notices (PCNs) handed out across England outside London and Cardiff last year should "send alarm bells ringing in council offices" Motorists were hit with fines totalling nearly £1 million from just 36 yellow box junctions last year, after local authorities were granted new powers to enforce the rules, according to figures. The RAC, which revealed the data following Freedom of Information (FoI) requests, commented that the "enormously high number" of penalty charge notices (PCNs) should "send alarm bells ringing in council offices". Yellow box junctions are designed to keep traffic moving at busy intersections by ensuring drivers do not enter unless their exit is clear or they are turning right. Previously, only London and Cardiff had the authority to fine drivers for yellow box offences, but new legislation introduced in May 2022 now allows all English councils to apply for these enforcement powers. The RAC's FoI request to English councils uncovered that 36 yellow boxes outside London and Cardiff were enforced over the past year. The enforcement resulted in a staggering 32,748 PCNs being issued, leading to drivers shelling out £998,640. Typically, PCNs carry a £70 fine, which is halved to £35 if paid within 21 days. A breakdown of the figures by the RAC showed that Manchester City Council topped the list for issuing the most PCNs, handing out 13,130 for six junctions, raking in £446,706 – almost half of the total revenue generated from yellow box fines outside London and Cardiff, reports Bristol Live. Kent's Medway Council has come in second, raking in £145,162 after issuing 4,433 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for just five yellow box junctions it monitors. Buckinghamshire Council wasn't far behind, collecting £139,798 from 3,618 fines. However, the single most lucrative spot was Dennis Roundabout in Guildford, Surrey, where drivers were hit with £81,445 in fines from 4,250 PCNs. In stark contrast, Gloucestershire County Council issued a mere 30 yellow box PCNs, totalling £945, and Leeds City Council handed out 50 fines, amassing £605. Appeals against yellow box fines are relatively rare, with Manchester City Council area seeing the highest appeal rate at 18%. RAC's senior policy officer Rod Dennis commented that a yellow box yielding few fines suggests it is "working as it should", which should be the goal for councils rather than viewing them as a "revenue-raising opportunity". He added: "Very few people set out to deliberately flout the rules and get fined. The large number of penalties being dished out over a small number of locations and in a short space of time should send alarm bells ringing in council offices. "It's vital box junctions are used in the correct places and are only as big as absolutely necessary. They must be fairly set up so that drivers don't find themselves stranded through no fault of their own." Chartered engineer Sam Wright, commissioned by the RAC, scrutinised the 100 most lucrative yellow box junctions in London and Cardiff from 2019. His findings, published in a report last year, revealed that 98 of them were oversized, not fitting their intended purpose of keeping crossing paths clear for traffic. The research indicated that on average, these boxes were 50% larger than necessary. Medway Council's portfolio holder for community safety, highways and enforcement, Alex Paterson, insisted that the council's enforcement is "not about catching people out". He highlighted that road markings have been updated so "nobody could reasonably claim not to have seen them". Deputy leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Thomas Broom, commented on the region's congestion issues, noting that the volume of yellow box fines is "directly relates to the number of people who commit these traffic offences". A representative for the Local Government Association stated: "All councils follow guidance to ensure motorists are treated fairly. There are processes for appeal if anyone believes they have been unfairly fined." Manchester City Council was contacted for a response.
Rhyl Journal
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
Rhyl: Almost 8,000 parking fines by council in last 2 years
On Thursday (June 26), the council's communities scrutiny committee will consider a report on its policies for designating parking restrictions, and how these are implemented and enforced. The report is now available to read on the council's website, as well as an appendix, which shows the number of PCNs issued by location from the council for 2023-24 and 2024-25. These comprise both on-street parking and council-run car park PCNs. Rhyl tops the list of most PCNs issued, with a total of 7,995 handed out by the council in this period. The overall number of PCNs issued was 14,648. The report has been compiled by the council's traffic and transportation manager, Mike Jones. It follows a request from the communities scrutiny committee to examine whether the council has 'effective policies and procedures in place for designating parking restrictions and for enforcement'. There are six staff members within the council's 'parking enforcement team' – this comprises one senior civil enforcement officer and five civil enforcement officers. The parking enforcement team is responsible for enforcing car parks as well as on-street parking restrictions through the issuing of PCNs. The levels of fine are set by central government. Mr Jones' report added: 'The parking enforcement team is a small team, responsible for covering the whole of the county, seven days a week. 'It's thus important that we maximise the officers' impact through deploying them in a range of locations across the county, whilst ensuring that enforcement doesn't follow a regular pattern. 'Parking restrictions are vital to ensure that parking is managed effectively, trying to keep roads safe use for all road users and ensuring a regular turnover of parking spaces to the benefit of local businesses. 'The cost of enforcement is typically similar to the revenue earned from issuing PCNs. 'It is important to note that the legislation does not permit us to set targets for enforcement officers in terms of numbers of PCNs issued. 'Any surplus income must be used for related services, such as car park maintenance.'
Glasgow Times
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Council to start enforcing pavement parking ban - here's when
The local authority announced it will start to serve tickets on Monday, September 1, 2025. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking, double parking and parking across dropped kerbs and powers have been granted to councils to enforce the legislation. The law aims to improve the safety of pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues, visual impairments, and parents or carers with pushchairs. Additionally, pavements are not designed to bear the weight of vehicles, and persistent parking can cause significant damage, creating a trip hazard and leading to expensive repairs. Local authorities now have the power to enforce this law and issue fines through Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. The local authority is also launching a campaign across the area to raise awareness of the new regulations. READ NEXT: Police called to protest at letting agent as tenants claim eviction threat Councillor Paul Ferretti, convener of the council's Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee, said, 'The message here is clear: pavement parking is unsafe, unfair and illegal. 'Many people face daily difficulties with pavement parking. It is dangerous and frustrating, especially for those with impairments or limited mobility and with mental health challenges. 'Pavement parking has serious consequences and can force people to take unnecessary risks. It can force people using wheelchairs, guide dogs or pushing buggies onto the road, putting their safety at risk. 'Even if you think you have left enough space, only parked two wheels on the pavement or you won't be parked for long, pavement parking can have harmful consequences to people who use the pavement. 'By not parking on the pavement it ensures our roads and pavements are safer and more accessible for everyone.' Exceptions include: Police, ambulance, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, HM Coastguard, or naval or air force purposes Roadworks, removal of traffic obstructions, waste collection by local authorities, or postal services Urgent or emergency health care by registered medical practitioners, nurses, or midwives Assistance at an accident or breakdown Delivering or collecting goods, provided the vehicle is parked for no longer than necessary (up to 20 minutes). Additionally, a small number of streets in East Dunbartonshire will be exempt from the ban following a review. These locations can be found on the Pavement Parking page on the council's website.
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Scots drivers warned over new parking rules coming into force today
Drivers who are caught breaking the rules will be issued with warning notices from Monday, June 2. Drivers in parts of Scotland are being warned of new parking restrictions that are being phased in from today. Motorists who park on pavements, dropped kerbs or are caught double parking in East Ayrshire will be issued with warning notices from Monday, June 2. Parking tickets - also known as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) - will start to be issued from Monday, July 7, when the full enforcement begins. Motorists who are caught parking on pavements will be expected to pay £100 which is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. The ban applies to parked and stationary or idling vehicles on private and public roads, where one or more wheels are on the footway. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking and double parking and the new regulations came into force in Scotland in December 2023 which handed councils the power to slap drivers with fines up to £100 for inconsiderate parking on pavements. Local authorities were given permission to decide if the measures would be implemented and when. So far they have been enforced in areas including Stirling, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, and Perth and Kinross. Councillor Jim McMahon, East Ayrshire cabinet spokesperson for housing, transport and communities, said: 'We're hoping that by starting with a phased approach to the enforcement, we will give people some time to get used to the upcoming official enforcement measures. 'Every driver is responsible for parking their vehicle considerately and in a position that will not cause an obstruction to the pavement or road. 'We want to provide a safe and accessible environment for everyone, especially those with sight impairments, mobility issues or anyone pushing buggies who will no longer need to walk on the road. 'I'm looking forward to seeing our streets becoming safer and more accessible as a result of the new enforcement work.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Ayrshire Road Alliance warned drivers of the changes on social media on Sunday, June 2. Posting alongside details about the enforcement, they wrote: "Help us make East Ayrshire a safer and more accessible place for everyone by parking responsibly." According to Ayrshire Road Alliance there is an exception in the rules that seeks to support some traders to continue making deliveries. This only applies to activity in the 'course of business' so does not apply to personal activities like unloading shopping or lifting young children out of a car. Delivery drivers can only park on the pavement when the following conditions apply: there must be no reasonable place to park fully on the road there must be 1.5m of pavement width between their vehicle and any wall, fence or bush. If these conditions apply, then the maximum length of time for that the delivery driver can be parked on the pavement is 20 minutes
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
East Ayrshire Council announce "phased" plan for pavement parking enforcement
Motorists in East Ayrshire will no longer be able to park on most pavements from July after the council announced plans to begin enforcing the new law. East Ayrshire Council are set to begin enforcing new pavement parking restrictions from July. Motorists who park on pavements or dropped kerbs or are caught double parking will be issued with warning notices from Monday, June 2. Parking tickets - also known as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) - will start to be issued from Monday, July 7, when the full enforcement begins. Drivers caught parking on pavements will be liable to pay £100 which is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. Legislation introduced by the Scottish Government in 2019 introduced a ban on pavement parking and gave local authorities more power to enforce it. The goal behind the legislation is to ensure that pavements and roads are safer and more accessible to all as parking on pavements prevents people from walking safely down streets. Pavement parking can also prevent access to pavements for people with disabilities or those pushing prams or buggies and it can cause damage which is expensive to repair. Double parking makes it more dangerous for vulnerable people or people pushing buggies or prams to cross the road safely as well as causing traffic congestion. Cllr Jim McMahon, East Ayrshire cabinet spokesperson for housing, transport and communities, said: 'We're hoping that by starting with a phased approach to the enforcement, we will give people some time to get used to the upcoming official enforcement measures. 'Every driver is responsible for parking their vehicle considerately and in a position that will not cause an obstruction to the pavement or road. 'We want to provide a safe and accessible environment for everyone, especially those with sight impairments, mobility issues or anyone pushing buggies who will no longer need to walk on the road. 'I'm looking forward to seeing our streets becoming safer and more accessible as a result of the new enforcement work.'
