Sunderland Council press release

Sunderland Council press release
17th August 2005

STATEMENT RE PARKING TICKETS ISSUED AT TAXI RANKS

A Number of penalty charge notices were issued incorrectly to motorists who were illegally parked in taxi ranks and as a result we will be taking steps to identify and reimburse the motorists concerned.

We have identified that about 700 penalty charge notices were paid after being issued by parking attendants acting in good faith against drivers who were breaking the law and causing inconvenience to taxi drivers and the public by parking in clearly designated taxi ranks.

Although parking in taxi ranks is illegal, it is not currently an offence for which a fixed penalty is applicable under the decriminalised parking enforcement system. Enforcement action is taken by the police or Council officers responsible for taxi licensing.

We are endeavouring to contact and refund those drivers who paid a penalty charge notice that was erroneously issued. Anyone who has received a parking ticket while parked in a taxi rank in Sunderland and believes they are entitled to a refund should contact Parking Services on 0191 553 1521.

Said Director of Development and Regeneration, Phil Barrett: “Although the issue of these tickets was an error and is regrettable, it affected only a very small proportion of the 61,000 plus tickets issued since the decriminalised parking system came into force in February 2003. It is an anomaly relating to the implementation of just one aspect of the city’s parking system. The decriminalised parking system itself remains legally robust and valid, ensuring the safe and efficient moving and parking of vehicles throughout the city for the benefit of public and businesses alike.”

Sunderland’s taxi ranks are located at:
Sunderland Railway Station (opposite entrance)
Rear Fawcett Street (west side)
Rear Fawcett Street (east side)
Park Lane
Union Street
Southwick Green
Whitburn, Seaburn
High Street West (adj to Chambers)
Crowtree Road
Rear Fawcett Street (east side)
Athenauem Street
Union Street
High Street West (adj Londonderry)Park Lane (fronting Chase)