Local authorities in England have defended new powers to make parking laws more motorist-friendly and easier to understand. Under new powers from the Traffic Management Act, councils will also be able to take action to improve the co-ordination of street works to reduce disruption for all road-users, residents and local businesses. The new framework makes clear that councils should not use parking enforcement as a tool for raising revenue or set targets for the number of parking tickets issued but, for the first time outside London, they will be able to use CCTV to enforce parking rules where it is impractical or dangerous for a parking attendant to operate. Caroline Sheppard, chief adjudicator of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, said it would be easier to appeal against unfair penalties, and claimed councils would need to ‘have a high standard of evidence', with all tickets posted to motorists, including details on the appeal process. LGA transport spokesman, Cllr David Sparks, said: ‘The introduction of postal penalty notices will allow local authorities to clamp down on the minority of unscrupulous motorists who flout parking regulations by driving off while a notice is being issued. ‘Postal notices will also shield attendants from the unacceptable, violent abuse they sometimes encounter.' Transport minister Rosie Winterton has said: ‘Disruption from street works costs the economy about £4.9bn each year. These strengthened powers will allow councils to better co-ordinate when work happens on their roads.'
