Is the Government's "Parking Measures Promise" going to help local shops?

PARKING measures that put common sense back in the driving seat was been given the green light on 6 March 2015, by Local Government and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.  Under the new laws to help local shops, drivers will get a 10 minute grace period, when parked in a bay which prevents fines for being just a few minutes late back to the vehicle be it in a paid or free parking space. And the use of CCTV 'spy cars' has been banned in the majority of circumstances ending the tyranny of automated fines landing on doorsteps and being issued in industrial volumes The measures stop over zealous parking enforcement which often forces people to shop in out of Town centres or online and were approved in the last reading of parking reforms in the 'Deregulation Bill.'  Other measures protecting drivers include new powers for parking adjudicators so they can hold Councils to account to tackle parking problems such as poor signage at specific locations. And a powerful new right enables residents and local firms to demand that their Council reviews parking in their area, including the charges and use of yellow lines.  There will also be tougher rules against heavy handed action by bailiffs and an end to fines at out of order parking meters when there is no alternative way to pay. Guidance will also reinforce that Councils cannot use parking to make a profit. Councils were also asked to volunteer to trial a new pilot that allows motorists challenging a parking ticket to benefit from a 25% discount on the fine if they lose the appeal. Currently drivers are only offered a discount on early payment before challenging a ticket.  The parking measures are a victory for drivers and 1 of a number of initiatives introduced by the Government to support high streets and give local shops a fairer deal.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said:- "We are ending the war on drivers who simply want to go about their daily business. For too long parking rules have made law abiding motorists feel like criminals, and caused enormous damage to shops and businesses. Over zealous parking enforcement undermines our town centres and costs Councils more in the long term. Our measures not only bring big benefits for high streets, motorists and local authorities - they put common sense back into parking."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:- "Helping local businesses thrive is a key part of our long term economic plan. These measures will deliver a fairer deal for motorists and help boost the high street by ensuring that parking enforcement is proportionate, while also protecting school children and keeping key routes and bus lanes clear."

For Merseyside the stats supplied to us by the Cabinet Office shows the staggering net profit that the current parking charges have been making for Sefton, that is even higher than Liverpool!

To see the national statistics, please click on here now!

Once good point when you look at the national stats, Liverpool was far better than Manchester....

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B.O.A. 70th Anniversary DVD

THE video footage we have taken at the 70th BOA events this year in Liverpool has now been fully edited is available to buy, on a DVD, from our Online Shop, on Mersey Reporter very soon.  For each DVD sold, £3.00 will go to the Liverpool's Lord Mayor's Charity Appeal. (Registered Charity No. 229539)  At this stage we can only do UK postage options, but if you are outside the UK, you can still order copies, but only via emailing our newsroom at:- news24@merseyreporter.com with your FULL address and we will get back to you with a postage cost and a payment link, should you wish to continue.