Media Statement by Sunderland City Council: Parking

October 3 2005

Review of Decriminalised Parking Zone -
Media Statement


Sunderland City Council is undertaking a review of all aspects of its decriminalised parking system. As the review progresses, immediate action is being taken where necessary to rectify, clarify or update legal or operational aspects of the system.

The following facts relate to areas which have been actioned to date:

· In October 2003 NCP parking attendants were instructed to stop issuing penalty charge notices (PCNs) to motorists parked, albeit illegally, in taxi ranks because they were not authorized to do so. In August 2005 a decision was taken to reimburse those PCNs. The majority of motorists affected have already been reimbursed and we continue to take steps to contact the remainder.

· In October 2003 NCP parking attendants were also instructed not to issue penalty charge notices to Blue Badge holders parking in loading bays, following advice sought from the Department for Transport. Whilst there has been uncertainty around the complexity of the law in this regard, the Council has now obtained clear Counsel’s advice to the effect that there is an exemption for Blue Badge holders parking in loading bays. As a result, the Council will be refunding those penalty charge notice payments made by 182 motorists.

The Council is in touch with the DVLA to obtain contact details of affected Blue Badge holders. Any Blue Badge holders who believe they may be affected should contact the Parking Services Team on 0191 553 1521.

The decriminalised parking regime has been welcomed by disability groups. There are 56 on street designated disabled bays and all on street parking bays are available for Blue Badge holders free of charge. There are other kerb-side spaces available which are much more accessible than under the previous regime.

Blue Badge holders are respectfully reminded that guidance given with the badge requests them to avoid parking unnecessarily in loading bays as clearly this could have an impact on business and service traffic movement.

Whilst in Sunderland instructions were issued to stop issuing tickets back in 2003, it is understood that in many areas of the country, because of the uncertainty around this part of the law, penalty charge notices are still being issued to Blue Badge holders parking in loading bays.

· In 2001 an external consultant’s report detailed a number of areas requiring implementation or validation of parking restrictions in the city at that time. During the Council’s review it has become apparent that not all of these measures were actioned. The review will identify why this was the case. In the meantime a new exercise to identify any current discrepancies is being undertaken as a matter of urgency.

If it becomes apparent that any penalty charge notices have been issued incorrectly, the Council will take action where appropriate to remedy the position.


Media Contact:

Corporate Communications Team

0191 553 1136
0191 553 1139

Out of hours: 07949765426