Newcastle City Council parking loophole lets drivers off hook

Mar 14 2009 by Paul James, The Journal

LITTLE-KNOWN Government rules have led to a parking free-for-all in the region. Council officials last night admitted they are powerless to enforce regulations governing thousands of parking spaces in the North East.

The rules mean Newcastle City Council is unable to issue parking fines to drivers who park in certain disabled or residential spaces or those allocated for taxis or loading.

It is because council chiefs are preparing for parking enforcement to become a civil, rather then criminal regime, which is expected to be authorised next month.

They have replaced about 3,000 £30 fixed daily charge signs and bay markings across the city in advance of the switch.

But traffic wardens are currently powerless to fine anyone for parking in those bays because the Government is yet to approve the new orders.

Parking campaigners say the council’s admission as a victory for drivers in the city, as well as businesses which will benefit from extra shoppers. But council chiefs last night warned it would be "irresponsible" for people to park in bays meant for disabled people, taxis and for loading.

Parking campaigner Neil Herron, who has previously helped several motorists challenge fines from the £30 signs, said the council was "bang to rights".

Mr Herron said: "We always knew from the outset that this regime was massively flawed, but the council went into a state of denial instead of just accepting it.

"For at least four or five weeks Newcastle businesses are going to benefit and more people are going to come into the city because they’re not going to be punished with parking fines."

The city council said there were "obvious moral issues" with the free parking issue and that "just because people can park in these places, it doesn’t mean that they should".