Topic ID 4544
When ever I arrive at Hertford or Ware town centre, or any other town for that matter,my first thought is where to park long enough to achieve all the things I want to do, yet still to be intimidated by the prospect of returning to my car, which is not parked in a away to cause a nuisance to anyone else, but subject to a limit on time! During these times of financial hardship for so many a relieving of such draconian measures should be considered with parking attendants encouraging people to park safely rather then pouncing on them as they have returned to their car 5 minuets later then they should. I do accept that if a car is parked in such a way it causes an obstruction or a hazard this should be dealt with in a robust way but what these councils need to consider is, are they content with bringing in revenue from parking fines (this is their sole motivation) or would they rather accept funds in the form of Council tax and business rates from successful, flourishing shops and business? The cynic in me says they would still be content to collect parking fines even when there is nothing left in town but Banks, charity shops and empty buildings![8D]
Reply ID 65074
Bring back traffic wardens who are part of the Police. It always used to be that way, and they were more interested in keeping the roads and footpaths safe and not dishing out as many tickets as possible to generate revenue for the private companies who run them
Reply ID 65079
Yes exactly and if you wanted to dispute your ticket you knew where to go. What also makes me laugh is when the Councils say they do not use it to generate income who are they kidding ?[8D]
Reply ID 65191
Wonder why they hid this thread?[8D]
Reply ID 65215
Who are "they" and in exactly what way was it "hidden"? I have no interest in parking charges (so why am I reading it?) but I saw it in plain view on the topic list
Reply ID 65322
Thanks to all my devotees for giving me pride of place in the Mercury on this one [8D]
Reply ID 65511
and this weeks Mercury too but I can't raise the topic as it is off topic! LOL[8D]
Reply ID 65512
quote:Is that what they claim? I thought they were quite open about the costs and revenues from parking. I've certainly never heard them deny it generates revenue. You may ask for this information and have it provided, if you wish.
Originally posted by Daveyone
Yes exactly and if you wanted to dispute your ticket you knew where to go. What also makes me laugh is when the Councils say they do not use it to generate income who are they kidding ?[8D]
Reply ID 65529
Interesting article on the BBC news channel this morning about privatised traffic wardens. An Attendant emailed the show to say on how they are under pressure to issue a minimum number of tickets ( 1 per hour) despite guidelines that say the system should not be revenue driven. Even the British Parking association spokesman admitted that he could not confirm that such practice was not occurring. More interesting he said that and the government is encouraging all local authorities to produce an annual report to be published in September stating how they operate with their contractors and how this is improving local road safety & improving traffic flow. He also said that the issuing of tickets had reached a peak in 2007 and was now declining. If ticketing is revenue driven does that not mean that even more motorists are receiving dubious tickets?[}:)] Wonder if East herts council will be producing a report?
Reply ID 65530
See also from BBC News: [url="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8168191.stm"]Traffic wardens 'made to ticket'[/url]
Reply ID 65667
quote:There obviously is no other motive it is not like it was years ago when they were there to deter people form causing an obstruction now they hover just to nab you! I once had a cafe in town and the nearest I could park was that loading bay outside the Corn Exchange, my van had the same livery as my cafe and as i finsihed unloading I got a phone call from the local trade and commerce telling me not to put signs up advetising my business the two minuets it took to dispatch their call meant a parking ticket for me! They did however allow me to park by a nearby solicitors office with a protest banner tied to the front for 3 hours( 20 min bay)The only responce I had to my protest was that I had spelt 'parasite' wrong!!ho hum[8D]
Originally posted by shuntquote:Is that what they claim? I thought they were quite open about the costs and revenues from parking. I've certainly never heard them deny it generates revenue. You may ask for this information and have it provided, if you wish.
Originally posted by Daveyone
Yes exactly and if you wanted to dispute your ticket you knew where to go. What also makes me laugh is when the Councils say they do not use it to generate income who are they kidding ?[8D]
Reply ID 65690
You were parked illegally mate. Take it up with David Icke.
Reply ID 65825
I take it you are also satisfied with your parking regime and don't feel it has an abverse effect on your Town's traders[?][8D]
Reply ID 65830
[|)] zzzzzz
Reply ID 65832
quote:No im not. What do you suggest ?
Originally posted by Daveyone
I take it you are also satisfied with your parking regime and don't feel it has an abverse effect on your Town's traders[?][8D]
Reply ID 65834
quote:There are many things which are not like they were years ago, people's attitudes being one. We get what we deserve.
Originally posted by Daveyonequote:There obviously is no other motive it is not like it was years ago when they were there to deter people form causing an obstruction now they hover just to nab you! I once had a cafe in town and the nearest I could park was that loading bay outside the Corn Exchange, my van had the same livery as my cafe and as i finsihed unloading I got a phone call from the local trade and commerce telling me not to put signs up advetising my business the two minuets it took to dispatch their call meant a parking ticket for me! They did however allow me to park by a nearby solicitors office with a protest banner tied to the front for 3 hours( 20 min bay)The only responce I had to my protest was that I had spelt 'parasite' wrong!!ho hum[8D]
Originally posted by shuntquote:Is that what they claim? I thought they were quite open about the costs and revenues from parking. I've certainly never heard them deny it generates revenue. You may ask for this information and have it provided, if you wish.
Originally posted by Daveyone
Yes exactly and if you wanted to dispute your ticket you knew where to go. What also makes me laugh is when the Councils say they do not use it to generate income who are they kidding ?[8D]
Reply ID 66014
quote:Well for instance in Potters Bar they have a parking metre that dispenses a ticket for one hour and enables you to pay for longer this could be implimented in Fore Street for a start, there is so little you can do in 20 mins and there should be free parking at off peak and quieter times in town to entise more shoppers to visit! as i have suggested origionally there should be a relaxation of strict enforcement ( unless the car poses a danger or obstruction) during these financially worrying times[8D]
Originally posted by Frenchiequote:No im not. What do you suggest ?
Originally posted by Daveyone
I take it you are also satisfied with your parking regime and don't feel it has an abverse effect on your Town's traders[?][8D]
Reply ID 66023
quote:Better to walk then if you are that hard up
Originally posted by Daveyone as i have suggested origionally there should be a relaxation of strict enforcement ( unless the car poses a danger or obstruction) during these financially worrying times[8D]
Reply ID 66231
I think you'll find it's the terrible selection of shops that is killing trade.
Reply ID 66376
I got issued with a ticket in Gascoyne Way car park for the most absurd reason. I arrived just after 5pm on a Monday afternoon, and bought a ticket to see me through to the time when parking becomes free - 6pm from memory. When I returned to my car at about 6.30pm, I was shocked to see I had been issued with a parking fine - for not parking in a bay properly. One rear wheel was just touching the white line! Now I know that it does say on the boards that you must park correctly in a marked bay, but that was just ridiculous. I could understand it was busy, but that carpark is never anywhere near half full during the evening in the early part of the week.
Reply ID 66379
that seems odd, especially as parking times are to 6.30 in that car park, so they could have just got you on that?
Reply ID 66387
quote:That's all it takes sometimes. You should appeal.
Originally posted by Robbo
One rear wheel was just touching the white line!
Reply ID 66393
It used to be 6.00 pm but this changed about 3 years ago, rather quietly, thinking we wouldn't notice. Its a problem to some of us who use the Castle Hall for theatrical productions and need to get into make up and stuff and so have to overspend on a ticket for half an hours worth of parking or take a huge risk and not! I think you should have a go, but I do know its 6.30 pm now... sorry [:(]
Reply ID 66397
quote:What was the contravention code on the parking ticket?
Originally posted by Robbo
I got issued with a ticket in Gascoyne Way car park for the most absurd reason. I arrived just after 5pm on a Monday afternoon, and bought a ticket to see me through to the time when parking becomes free - 6pm from memory. When I returned to my car at about 6.30pm, I was shocked to see I had been issued with a parking fine - for not parking in a bay properly. One rear wheel was just touching the white line! Now I know that it does say on the boards that you must park correctly in a marked bay, but that was just ridiculous. I could understand it was busy, but that carpark is never anywhere near half full during the evening in the early part of the week.
Reply ID 66401
The Gascoyne Way car park is run by East Herts Council. (http://80.168.51.108/index.jsp?articleid=7669) East Herts Council have signed up to PATROL (Parking And Traffic Regulations Outside London). (http://www.patrol-uk.info/site/index.php) At this URL you will find a full list of their contravention codes: http://www.patrol-uk.info/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=23&pageID=42 There are two tables of codes. The first is for on-street parking and lists codes 1 to 68 and also code 99. The second table is for off-street parking (car parks) and lists codes 70 to 96. The only contravention code I can see that relates to not being parked properly in a bay is: 24 Not parked correctly within the markings of the bay or space As this appears in the first table I would expect it only to apply to on-street parking. This would suggest to me that by not parking properly in a bay in a car park you are not actually contravening any regulation enforced by the very scheme that East Herts Council have signed up to. If I was you, Robbo, I would base my appeal on this fact. Furthermore, if you are successful I would expect that any such penalties issued in the past are probably also invalid.