Councils share out the fines (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Councils share out the fines

11:51am Friday 9th February 2007 in News By Peggy Clatworthy

Council-controlled parking enforcement is coming a step nearer in Tewkesbury.

It is expected to come into effect on October 1, when the police will no longer control on street parking and council-employed wardens will be able to issue parking tickets and deal with other parking offences.

At the same time, the income from both on and off-street parking will go to Tewkesbury Borough Council.

It has not yet been decided whether charges for on-street parking will be introduced - but if they are, parking meters will probably be installed in the main streets.

The system is expected to be self-funding, with any profits being shared equally with Gloucestershire County Council.

The borough council's housing and environment committee will discuss the matter further when it meets on Tuesday.

The intention is for the county council to formally request Government permission to take on responsibility for parking enforcement. It would then hand over the actual work to the borough.

Both the town council and Tewkesbury Forward Group have put forward views. They say parking should not be used to boost the borough council's coffers and add that current high parking charges are hitting trade.

They would like to see all-day parking charged at just £2, to help those working in the town, and the restoration of a free hour in the short stay car parks.

They also say that if on-street charging is introduced, it should be charged at 20p for 20 minutes, with an upper limit of 2 hours.