Parking fines bring in £260k

8:50am Friday 4th July 2008

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MOTORISTS in York have shelled out more than £260,000 in new parking fines that were introduced three months ago.

City of York Council revealed the figures to The Press, but said this was £66,720 less than it received for parking offences between March 31 and July 1 last year.

It said there has been a downward trend over the last few years in the number of penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued. The authority said it has issued 2,379 PCNs of £70 – a total of £166,530 – since a two-tier penalty fine system was introduced in the city on March 31 this year.

It said it has handed out 1,893 PCNs of £50 – a total of £94,650 – in the same period.

The system means motorists who commit more serious parking offences, such as blocking pedestrian crossings outside schools, will incur the higher £70 fine, while more minor ones such as staying too long in a car park will incur a £50 fine. Before the legislation – which has been rolled out across the country – was brought in, all offences were penalised by a £60 fine, regardless of severity.

The authority said the downward trend in the number of PCNs issued was due to a number of factors, including more compliance as motorists have realised they are unlikely to get away with illegal parking.

The council said: “It is a trend that is not confined to York, but is shown nationwide in cities that have taken over the powers of on-street parking enforcement from the police and have been operating those powers for a number of years. Initially when councils take over from the police the number of PCNs goes up, but as compliance increases the number decreases.”

Meanwhile, City of York councillor James Alexander said: “I sometimes use Peel Street car park, off Walmgate. But this has become extremely frustrating after countless times seeing cars parked in unmarked areas, simply because the car park is full.

A council spokeswoman said: “Since receiving Councillor Alexander’s complaint, the council’s civil enforcement officers visited the Peel Street Car Park and issued a number of tickets to vehicles that were parked beyond the bay markings and causing an obstruction.”