Newcastle City Council parking loophole lets drivers off hook

Mar 14 2009 by Paul James, The Journal

The council estimates that around 50 loading bays, 100 disabled bays and 50 taxi bays, plus all the city’s residents’ parking spaces, are affected.

Jesmond restaurant Francesca’s, situated within a new residents’ parking scheme, is advertising the free parking in a bid to stop potential customers driving away when they see the road signs.

Boss Giovanni Sardone, whose family have run the business for 25 years, said: "We have regular customers coming from Hexham, Corbridge, all over the place, and they find it hard to get a parking space.

"Customers are saying they can’t find a space and have had to drive away – it’s the major talking point now when people come in.

"We’ve put a big sign in the window to stop people driving away. We think these new rules are going to have a major knock-on effect on the business. We’ve filled 10 pages of a petition – it’s something we really don’t want to happen."

Newcastle Council director of regulatory services and public protection, Stephen Savage, said: "I can confirm that until April 15, when civil parking enforcement is implemented in Newcastle, people who park in disabled bays and other areas like loading bays and taxi ranks cannot be prosecuted."

The complication arises because the council has replaced police signs and markings with its own – meaning that officers can no longer legally enforce the regulations. But the council cannot implement fines either because Government rules state it must give six weeks’ notice of its intent to do so.

Last night, Mr Savage urged drivers to act responsibly.

"There are obvious moral issues here," he said. "Just because people can park in these places it doesn’t mean that they should. It is irresponsible to do so as it affects business and quality of life in the city and directly impacts on vulnerable people in our community.

"Imposing penalties on people who do park in these areas is not a revenue-raising exercise, or something we do out of spite. We do it evenly and without prejudice because it is our job to keep this city moving and make sure people have a convenient, safe and legal place to park."

The Department for Transport confirmed it expected the council to have the necessary powers by April 15.