What is Civil Parking Enforcement? ( CPE )
Gateshead Council was designated a Decriminalised Parking Authority by Order made under the Road Traffic Act 1991, and as such has been undertaking civil enforcement of parking/ waiting restrictions since July 2007.
On 31st March 2008 new legislation comes into force that will effect the way that parking restrictions are enforced in Gateshead.
Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 introduces Civil Parking Enforcement that is designed to create a reasonable transparent and proportionate system of parking enforcement that is applied consistently across the country. The main changes are as follows;
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Decriminalised Parking Enforcement becomes Civil Parking Enforcement.
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The Council's Parking Patrol Officers will be renamed Civil Enforcement Officers (Parking).
Differential Penalty Charge levels will be introduced :
>> Higher Level £70 Penalty Charge for parking in a place where it is always prohibited such as on No Waiting At Any Time and No Loading restrictions or parking in a disabled bay without displaying a valid badge.
>>Lower Level £50 Penalty Charge for less serious contraventions such as overstaying in a parking place or parking outside a marked bay.
Both Higher and Lower Level Penalty Charges will be reduced by 50% for payments made within 14 days.
List of the Contravention Codes that will be used in Gateshead from the 31 March 2008 and the differential level that will apply |
Additional enforcement powers introduced for Civil Enforcement Officers including being able to issue Penalty Charge Notices for stopping on pedestrian crossings, parking on taxi ranks and parking on cycle tracks.
The adoption of other new powers including camera enforcement of moving traffic offences, postal service of Penalty Charge Notices not served on street and the enforcement of double parking and parking at dropped crossings will be considered in the coming months.
Introducing these new measures in Gateshead will ensure that the Council continues to operate a parking enforcement regime that is seen to be balanced and fair to the motorist whilst satisfying the Council's transport and parking policy objectives.
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How does it affect me?
If you abide by the parking regulations and pay where required, you will have nothing to worry about from the enforcement activity.
Council-employed Civil Enforcement Officers (Parking) patrol Council operated car parks and roads where there are parking controls. They will issue Penalty Charge Notices ( PCN s) if a restriction is contravened.
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What do I do if I receive a Penalty Charge Notice?
If you receive a Penalty Charge Notice, please pay it in full or contact us as soon as possible if you have a query. Failure to pay or contact us may result in further action being taken against the registered owner / keeper of the vehicle and an increase in the amount payable. There will be a number of means to either pay or challenge a Penalty Charge Notice if you feel it has been issued incorrectly, including online facilities.
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How it will affect Blue Badge holders
The Blue Badge scheme will operate as before when a vehicle is parked on-street. If the vehicle is parked in accordance with the Blue Badge scheme it should not receive a Penalty Charge Notice. Council run car parks entitle the Blue Badge holder to free parking within the correct bays.
The guidance book received on receipt of your Blue Badge explains where you can and cannot park with your Blue Badge.
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