DRIVERS who park irresponsibly in Wokingham’s streets could soon face fines if parking enforcement plans being discussed next week are brought into force.
Members of the council’s Executive Committee will be asked to approve the preparation and submission of an application to the Department for Transport (DfT) to introduce civil parking enforcement powers at a meeting next Thursday (24).
The plans would give the council the authority to manage on-street parking enforcement across the borough, a responsibility which currently falls the Thames Valley Police, which welcomes the proposals.
If the recommendations are agreed, it will take between 18 months and two years for the council scheme to actually start on the ground.
In addition to a public consultation, the council will also have to consult with the police, neighbouring local authorities, the Highways Agency, the DVLA, the Government Office and Traffic Penalty Tribune.
Cllr John Kaiser, the borough council’s executive member for planning and highways, said: “These powers won’t affect the majority of motorists who park sensibly and safely. It will target those who choose to ignore the rules and park where they want stopping people getting into their own homes or businesses.
“One in four vehicles park illegally in and around the borough’s town centres, according to a survey we carried out earlier this year. And our residents tell us they want us to have these powers to stop this.
“We’ve held off for a few years because contrary to popular belief, not all councils make vast sums from parking tickets, and obviously we don’t want to saddle our borough’s public purse with this burden.
“This means we’re considering several options on how to run the service to ensure it is cost neutral. We’re also looking at how the other Berkshire local authorities are running theirs. It is important we get this right for our residents.
“The benefits are great. Having the ability to manage parking borough wide means we can keep traffic moving in problem places, improve road safety, help the environment, boost public transport and sustainable travel choices and free up kerb space currently being abused.”
The Executive Committee will meet on Thursday, September 24 at 7.30pm at the Civic Offices in Shute End.
