feature: Parking explained
27 June 2008
With more cars on the road every year, parking restrictions are a fact of life.
Read on to find out how the council enforces the rules, how to ensure you always park legally, and what to do if you think you’ve been unfairly ticketed.
When it comes to parking restrictions, Haringey Council aims to be firm but fair.
This approach was praised by judges at the British Parking Awards earlier this year, when Haringey was named Enforcement Team of the Year.
And new policies now introduced in line with London-wide guidelines and government legislation will make the system even fairer.
These include:
- No clamping of any vehicles
- Vehicles only towed away if they are judged to be causing an obstruction
- Drivers parked in pay and display bays given five minutes’ grace after their ticket has expired before any Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is issued
- Parking attendants instructed to watch any vehicles parked on yellow lines for at least five minutes before issuing a ticket, to ensure there are no reasons why a PCN should not be issued.
Cabinet member for environment and conservation Cllr Brian Haley said:
“It’s unfortunate that many people still suspect councils somehow try to trick them into parking illegally as a way of raising money.
“We’re trying very hard to move away from this kind of reputation in Haringey. Parking restrictions are there to cut congestion, make the roads safer and ensure residents and visitors can easily get to local shops and services.
“Motorists who park in restricted areas are breaking the law and we won’t hesitate to fine them. But we want to provide as much information as possible to try to ensure that law-abiding people don’t get punished unnecessarily.”
Part of the firm but fair approach is a two tier parking charge system.
This means a fine of up to £120 for the most serious parking offences, such as parking on a zebra crossing. The lowest fine of £60 will be issued for less serious offences, such as overstaying in a pay and display bay.
Remember, all fines are halved if paid within 14 days from the date of issue of the PCN.
How to appeal
Parking attendants - or civil enforcement officers as they are now known - are human, and occasionally mistakes will be made.
- If you think you have received a parking ticket unfairly, then you can challenge it through the council’s appeals process
- Challenges should be sent in writing within 14 days of the issue date of the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Either write to: Haringey Council, Parking Service, PO Box 38996, London, N22 9AF; or fill out the online form at www.haringey.gov.uk/on_street_parking
- Please quote the PCN number and vehicle registration number in all correspondence
- The council aims to respond to all challenges with 10 working days. No further action will be taken on the ticket until a full reply has been sent
- If the council has not received any payment or a challenge within 28 days of the PCN being issued, then it will send a Notice to Owner to the vehicle’s registered owner. This includes details of how you can appeal
- If a PCN can’t be cancelled, the council must tell you why. You must then pay the fine (you can pay at the discount rate if you challenged the PCN within 14 days), or you can appeal to the independent Parking and Traffic Appeals Service. The council will include a form in its reply to your challenge.
Did you know?
Haringey, like all councils, is required by law to spend all money raised from parking fines on traffic and transport improvements, such as road safety schemes.
You can get advice on parking restrictions in different parts of the borough and the best places to park by calling the council on 0845 073 1234. Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday and Friday, and 8am to 8pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Know the rules!
- You cannot park on most single yellow lines between 8am and 6.30pm, but check for any signs
- Double yellow lines mean no parking at any time
- All controlled parking zones have signs at their entrance setting out the hours when parking restrictions are in force. But before parking check there are no additional signs pointing out further restrictions;
- Parking in bus lanes is illegal during their operational hours. At the beginning of bus lanes you will find a sign showing the hours when vehicles are banned from entering the lane;
- You must not enter a yellow box junction until your exit road or lane is clear, unless you are turning right
- If other vehicles are parked, don’t assume it’s OK for you to park
- If you’re not sure, don’t park!
- For more details see the council’s sensible parking tips at www.haringey.gov.uk/sensible_parking.
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