Latest news with #PenaltyChargeNotices
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Leader Live
Flintshire County Council warn residents about text scam
Flintshire County Council say they've received reports of a scam in which residents are being sent texts about Penalty Charge Notices. The local authority has confirmed that they do not contact people about parking fines over text, and instead it would be in the post. Residents have been warned not to click on the link in the texts, which reportedly leads to a fake website. MOST READ: Council issue list of roads set to be reverted to 30mph in Flintshire next month Why Wrexham chippy offering free chips to kids all summer has had to change rules Actor and author set to appear at event in Flintshire next week A spokesperson for Flintshire County Council said: "We have received reports of a scam where people are sent a text about paying for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), which takes you to a fake website. "We do NOT contact people by text about parking fines. "If you have received a PCN, you will receive all correspondence by post. If you are unsure, visit our website."
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
First week of East Ayrshire pavement parking restrictions sees just 50 fines issued
In the first nine days of the enforcement of new pavement parking rules, Ayrshire Roads Alliance issued 50 fines in East Ayrshire. Parking fines were issued to 50 motorists in East Ayrshire following the first nine days of enforcing new pavement parking rules. Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) said there had been "minimal complaints" following the first week of action. More than 900 warnings were dished out in the weeks before enforcement began and ARA belief the move has had a positive impact on driver behaviour. Parking tickets - also known as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) - have been issued to motorists who park on pavements or dropped kerbs or are caught double parking since Monday, July 7. Drivers caught flouting the rules will be liable to pay £100 which is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. Alan McCutcheon, parking operations officer for Ayrshire Roads Alliance, said: "We started full enforcement on the week beginning Monday, July 7 and have been visiting all areas of East Ayrshire. "Between July 7 and 16 we have issued 50 PCNs for pavement parking. "We've had minimal complaints, and this may be due to the effectiveness of the warning leaflets issued the month before. "We have had over 500 enquiries since announcing the enforcement, and approximately 60 to 70 per cent have been complaints of vehicles parking inappropriately. "Attendants have been visiting reported areas and where appropriate advising motorists to move vehicles off the pavement. "Where required, we have issued PCNs. "Considering we issued almost 1,000 warning leaflets, the improved behaviour from the vast majority of motorists should be commended and Ayrshire Roads Alliance thanks everyone who has complied for their co-operation." 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.
Scotsman
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Why are heavily polluting buses still allowed on city streets
Old cars can't come into the city without paying for the privilege under the low emission zone, but commercial vintage buses face no similar restrictions Low Emission Zone signs in place with six months to go Official road signs are being installed on the boundary of Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone (LEZ), with six months until enforcement begins. The signs, which are being used in the four Scottish cities with city centre LEZs, will inform drivers they are driving within the zone. In Edinburgh, additional '˜warning signs' will tell drivers that Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) will not be issued until 1 June 2024 and only to the most polluting vehicles. On Wednesday, Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Scott Arthur met contractors installing some of the first signs and urged drivers to prepare for the changes coming into force from 1 June 2024. Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: While enforcement against non-compliant vehicles won't begin until 1 June 2024, these signs are a reminder that the changes will soon come into force. By allowing a two-year grace period we wanted to give people plenty of time to prepare for the LEZ. However, with six months to go there's still time, and I'd urge anyone who's eligible to apply for the support finds on offer. Essentially, reducing the most polluting vehicles from the city will benefit everyone. Air pollution harms both our physical and mental health, so the LEZ we will help create a healthier place for everyone, reducing inequalities and making the city centre a more welcoming place. Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, added: Reducing air pollution has clear long and short-term health benefits for everyone. Our hope is that improved air quality will also encourage people to take advantage of more sustainable and active ways of travel, such as walking, cycling and public transport, which is beneficial for individuals and communities alike. Some households and small businesses One of the things I find difficult to understand in a city with low emission zones is why we allow some of the most heavily polluting vehicles onto our city centre. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There's been a huge debate about the low emissions zones, and everyone had the opportunity to have their say after which the proposals were implemented. Clean air hasn't happened overnight. I well remember a friend telling me about a car trip with his mum and dad back to his home just off Leith Walk in 1950s Edinburgh. Such was the pollution in those days that his mum had to open the door to check where the pavement was, so that they could park safely. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We're much better placed these days. Indeed, Edinburgh hasn't just dumped the 'Old Reekie' tag, our air quality has been completely transformed. In November a survey by Autotrader concluded that Edinburgh had the cleanest air of any city in the UK. Old cars can't come into the city without paying for the privilege, but commercial vintage buses face no similar restrictions. I understand why we would want to make vintage cars exempt. After all an occasional day trip by someone in a vintage car is neither here nor there, and they're lovely to see occasionally. However, tour buses are commercial enterprises, and they run seven days a week in the city, so the environmental impact won't be negligible. There are plenty of modern buses on the market that have very efficient engines and there are now plenty of electric buses on the market too. There are plenty of buses that have been converted, so that could happen too. We all want to see more jobs and benefits from Edinburgh being such a successful tourism destination. But we all want to breathe cleaner air at the same time. We all want to preserve our historic buses and perhaps a historic bus tour should be like a steam train trip, one of those rare treats to be savoured. Surely, it's time that all commercial tour buses in the city centre operate by the same rules? Donald Anderson is Director, Playfair Scotland
STV News
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- STV News
Number of parking fines issued on Skye doubles in five years
The number of parking fines issued on the Isle of Skye have more than doubled over the last five years, figures show. Highland Council added that a 'significant proportion' of fines handed out were likely to have been issued to tourists. Figures released by the local authority show the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued on Skye totalled 7,011 in 2024 – more than double the 2,784 issued in 2020. Last year, the local authority issued fines worth £1.3m across the entire region, with 67% of those issued paid to date. A separate parking income report from Isle of Skye and Raasay committee on June 30 said fines worth £428,750 were issued in the area between April 2024 and March 2025. It added that the average cash recovery from PCNs was around 70%, while arrangements made through debt collection could mean payments are made several years after the initial fine was issued. Figures show the highest amount of fines were handed out at Bayfield (West) car park in Portree, with 1,346 issued between April 2024 and March 2025. The was followed by Somerled Square car park, also in Portree, and Storr car park. Hundreds of fines were also issued at popular beauty spots like the Fairy Pools and The Quairing. The council said the increase in PCNs issued followed a rise in the number of parking enforcement officers cracking down on rule breakers as well as more parking and no waiting restrictions. Highland Council began recording the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) in 2016, when just 2,300 fines were issued. The figure rose to 9,909 in 2020 and more than doubled to 19,665 in 2024. A Highland Council spokesperson said: 'There are a number of factors that have contributed to the increase of PCNs issued on Skye over the last five years which include an increase in the regulated parking areas, an increase in parking restrictions and no waiting restrictions in key locations to prevent routes being obstructed and an increase in the number of Parking Enforcement Officers. 'A number of areas that generate high PCN numbers are around key visitor locations, and it is likely that a significant proportion of the PCNs issued on Skye are to visitors at these locations. 'Parking rule breaking is a concern and the seriousness of this can depend on the area and frequency. In many areas, it can cause safety issues, block traffic, and create challenging situations for pedestrians and drivers. The public can report parking issues at Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- 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.
