Introducing civil parking enforcement in South Cambridgeshire will see responsibilities for dealing with illegal parking shift from Cambridgeshire Police to Cambridgeshire County Council. This will mean drivers parking illegally, such as on double yellow lines, could be issued a ticket by Civil Enforcement Officers and ordered to pay a penalty charge. This arrangement is in place in Cambridge City and many other areas.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet today (Monday 7 February) confirmed formally they will support the County Council’s application to the Department for Transport for civil parking enforcement in the district. This followed the Council initiating conversations with the County Council and Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) to see how parking problems could be addressed.
The County Council will now prepare an application to the Secretary of State for a Special Enforcement Area, via the Department for Transport, to introduce the scheme. Subject to the approval of this application, it is expected that civil parking enforcement could begin in South Cambridgeshire in the autumn of next year.
In South Cambridgeshire, the upfront costs of introducing civil parking enforcement will be funded by the GCP, including a full review of road lines and signs. They will also cover any financial deficit of the scheme for the first five years. A funding agreement is being put in place between the GCP and Cambridgeshire County Council that will confirm roles and responsibilities, including how the scheme will be funded by the County Council after the initial five years.
All income that is generated by fines will be used to help pay for the costs of running the scheme.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Neil Gough, said: “We’re pleased to have initiated the conversations around this important topic because we truly understand how much of a problem illegal and inconsiderate parking causes across South Cambridgeshire. As well as having Enforcement Officers out and about who will be able to carry out checks as they patrol, residents will also be able to report their concerns to help focus on real problem areas. We know this has been an issue in the district for many years now and we’re pleased to have got the ball rolling with the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Cambridgeshire County Council to get a detailed plan in place. Part of the process needs the Secretary of State to agree for the scheme to progress so there is still a good way to go before any change is made.”
Cllr Peter McDonald, Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We have a lot of work to do on this project over the next couple of years, but we’re pleased South Cambridgeshire District Council is keen to work alongside us. If approved, the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement will enable us to focus on specific areas - areas where traffic flow, accessibility and safety are an issue by persistent obstructive parking and where congestion and air pollution are high.”
Cllr Elisa Meschini, Chair of the GCP’s Executive Board, said: “With funding from the GCP, I’m pleased that civil enforcement can now be taken forward to tackle inconsiderate and dangerous parking in South Cambridgeshire which blights the lives of many residents and businesses, and can lead to additional congestion on our roads. This forms part of the GCP’s work to develop a new parking strategy to better manage parking and encourage uptake of public transport and active travel.”