Hart Crackdown on Selfish Parkers

HART District Council is about to start using its new powers throughout the district to enforce bans on double parking and parking at dropped footways.

Under the new Act traffic signs are not required to enforce the bans where the footway, cycle track or verge has been lowered or the carriageway raised.

The council’s Parking Manager, Geoff Hislop, stressed that the aim was to stop inconsiderate and selfish parking rather than to fine people.

“People who park in these places are a hazard and danger to pedestrians,” he said. “We shall use these new powers carefully but if people continue to abuse the new restrictions we shall strictly enforce them.

“People should also not forget that we can enforce double yellow line restrictions at all times.”

Double parking is defined as being more than 50cm from the edge of the carriageway. This can obstruct emergency vehicles, buses and waste collection vehicles.

Parking alongside a dropped footway also causes inconvenience. It will not be enforced where a vehicle is parked outside a home with the occupier’s permission.

Cllr Stephen Parker, Hart’s Environment Cabinet member, commented: ”This is all about consideration for the needs of others. I very much hope that Hart residents will render action unnecessary by parking sensibly, legally and without obstructing others.”