Parking Fines set to escalate with 'licence to cheat.'

The Daily Mail reports the fact that with the new parking rules which come into force on 31st March 2008 the number of "unfair" parking fines issued to drivers will soar.

Parking Attendants will be allowed to ticket on sight and motorists will no longer be able avoid a penalty by driving off before a parking attendant has a chance to ticket their vehicle.

If the Parking Attendant claims he had already started writing the ticket, drivers will be sent the penalty charge notice in the post.
The new rule is included in the Traffic Management Act 2004, superseding the Road Traffic Act 1991, which stated attendants needed supporting evidence, including photographs and a note of the tax disc number, to prove they witnessed a contravention.

Read the full article here

You have been warned. This will lead to wholesale abuse. However, we will soon be launching a product which will allow you to prove your innocence.

Mayor's Tax Disc Gaffe ... Another Fine Mess in Blackburn

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph reports on the latest Blackburn blunder, this time involving 'failure to display.'Everyone in Blackburn in future who gets a Parking Ticket for a similar mistake simply print off the article and ask for the council to apply discretion.

Tax disc gaffe on mayor's limo
By Nafeesa Shan

PARKING protesters have accused council bosses of double standards after they forgot to replace the tax disc on the mayor's limousine.The tax disc on the black BMW expired on January 31 and was replaced for 12 days until the Lancashire Telegraph informed Blackburn with Darwen Council that it had expired.The car which has a registration CB1, used on official visits by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Coun Maureen McGarvey, was driven on at least 11 occasions without displaying the correct disc.
More ...

Will there be a queue round the block for this job?

From Whitehall Pages and the Guardian

Job: Manager - Parking Services, SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL

Employer: SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL
Posted: 27 Jan 2008
Reference: 6165
Location: City of Sunderland
Industry: Environment - General,
Government - Local government
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: £40,101 to £45,385 Per Annum

More details here

"We are committed to the training and development of all our staff and can offer excellent opportunities for you to improve your skills and qualifications in a supportive and challenging environment."

How challenging could this environment be? Well, there has been some history ...

Watch the documentary here

Thought parking wasn't about targets ... look at the meltdown in Croydon

We are repeatedly told that Decriminalised Parking Enforcement is not about targets ... but enforcement contract talks are at a stalemate in Croydon ... because contractor it is understood that APCOA are 'demanding the council agree to a clause which would allow them to issue an extra 20,000 tickets each year.'

If that is the case are they expecting that there is to be a sudden collective mental collapse by motorists in Croydon 'forgetting how and where to park' or is there going to be a spate of line painting or is it simply going to be a step up in draconian enforcement to allow a private enforcement contractor a 'nice little earner?'

Read the full story in the Kingston Guardian here