General Information

In 2002, Hart District Council took over the enforcement of parking restrictions in the District. This removed the need for the police to allocate valuable resources to parking enforcement and released their time for other important policing work.

The aims were to:

• Reduce congestion – by controlling the parking of vehicles on the streets, leaving parking bays for the vehicles designated to those bays to load goods for example.
• Make better use of on street parking areas – enabling more vehicles to park during the course of the day.
• Continue with the enforcement of car park regulations.

The only changes that were made were in the way that parking enforcement was carried out and did not alter the parking restrictions that existed at that time. More parking attendants now patrol in the District, both on the street and in those car parks that are operated by the Council. The attendants also visit villages and rural areas where parking restrictions are in force.

Parking attendants each have an identification number attached to the epaulettes on their uniform and that same number appears on the Notices that they issue.

The parking attendants issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for any contravention of waiting restrictions on the road as well as in car parks.

For example:

· Parking on double yellow lines or in loading or disabled bays.
· Overstaying time periods in limited waiting areas.
· Parking across bay markings.

The level of the penalty is £60.00, but a discounted amount of £30.00 is accepted in full and final settlement if the penalty is paid within 14 days of issue of the PCN. If the PCN remains unpaid after the 28-day period, a further 50% charge is made; i.e. the amount to be paid increases to £90.00.

The police still issue Fixed Penalty Notices for parking and for moving traffic offences, which can result in penalty points on a driving license. For example; parking on the zigzag markings of a pedestrian crossing.