Parking enforcement

The Notts Parking Partnership was formed to ensure that parking enforcement is provided consistently and fairly across the County.

A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN or sometimes called a parking fine or parking ticket) will be issued on a vehicle considered to be parking in contravention of the restrictions.

This may mean for example that the vehicle is parked on a single or double yellow line, in a disabled space without displaying a valid permit or has overstayed in a limited waiting bay.

Each contravention has a specific code and they are listed in the Operational Guidance.

Once the PCN has been issued it cannot be cancelled by the Civil Enforcement Officer. However, if you feel that a PCN has been issued wrongly you have the right to challenge the PCN. 

Civil Enforcement Officers are contracted by a service provider to provide civil enforcement services to the County Council and district councils throughout Nottinghamshire. Civil Enforcement Officers can issue Penalty Charge Notices (parking fines) and wear and operate head cams [Word] to record sound and vision in public areas.  

Cost

There are two different penalties that an Enforcement Officer can issue dependent on the parking contravention committed

  • for certain offences, such as overstaying in a limited waiting area, the notice amount is £50, reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days
  • for more serious offences, such as parking on double yellow lines, the amount is £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

The contraventions that result in higher or lower charges are listed in the Operational Guidance.

If you park, wait or load where there are restrictions in force, you may be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) by Civil Enforcement Officers. In some areas vehicles may be towed away.

Nottinghamshire is a Civil Enforcement authority and is responsible for the enforcement of parking restrictions on streets throughout the County.

Nottinghamshire Police may also take action at some key locations such as pedestrian crossings where zig zag markings are provided. The police are also responsible for enforcement where vehicles cause obstruction where there are no specific restrictions on parking.

Most restrictions are indicated by traffic signs and/or road markings but there are some circumstances where parking contraventions are not specifically signed.

Dropped kerbs

Dropped kerbs are provided for many reasons including at driveways and other accesses as well as to assist pedestrians to cross the road and to enable wheel chairs and push chairs to pass between footway to carriageway.

Dropped kerb indicating area you must not obstruct

The County Council may issue penalty charge notices to vehicles that are obstructing pedestrian crossing points including where there are no road markings. These consist of lowered kerbs or raised carriageway to create a smooth crossing. Tactile paving is also often provided to help blind and visually impaired people to know which direction to take.

Any part of a vehicle encroaching into the crossing area will create an obstruction. A vehicle does not have to be fully obstructing the crossing point area. A Civil Enforcement Officer can issue a Penalty Charge Notice if any part of the vehicle is obstructing the crossing area.

Parking on roads is often restricted to prevent traffic congestion or for safety reasons. It is important to observe and comply with restrictions which are shown with traffic signs and/or road markings. Parking may be permitted only at certain times usually due to the need to keep roads clear at peak traffic periods.

At some locations, especially those in or near town centres, parking may be allowed for limited durations. This helps customers to park reasonably close to shops for a short period.

Drivers also need to be aware of areas where parking is reserved for particular uses such as loading, blue badge holders or permit holders.

Safe and responsible parking

Where parking is not specifically prohibited, drivers must not assume that it is always appropriate to park. The absence of a restriction does not automatically mean that it is legal, safe or reasonable to park. Always consider how your parking will affect other road users. Do not park where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users.

The Highway Code

Full details can be found in the Highway Code which states that:

You must not park:

  • where there are specific restrictions (eg yellow lines, clearways)
  • on a road with double white lines (in the middle of the road)
  • on a tram, bus or cycle lane during its period of operation
  • on a cycle track
  • in parking spaces reserved for specific users, such as Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles, unless entitled to do so
  • where your vehicle or trailer would be in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road.

Do not stop or park:

  • near a school entrance
  • anywhere you would prevent or restrict access for Emergency Services
  • at or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
  • on the approach to a level crossing or tramway crossing
  • opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
  • near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
  • Opposite or near to a traffic island
  • Opposite or near another parked vehicle or road works if this would cause an obstruction
  • where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane
  • where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users, powered mobility vehicles and other non-motorised road users
  • in front of an entrance to a property
  • on a bend
  • where you would obstruct cyclists' use of cycle facilities.

Pavement Parking

Parking on pavements may be dangerous as it can obstruct pedestrians and lead to people of all ages and abilities having to walk in the road. Those using or pushing wheel chairs or buggies may need the full width of the pavement to get past parked cars without having to negotiate kerbs to use the road.

Parking on pavements creates a hazard for blind and visually impaired people.

Places where Specific Restrictions apply

Specific restrictions on parking may be made by legal order, details of which are available online.

The partnership consists of Nottinghamshire County Council and the seven district and borough councils in Nottinghamshire.

District contacts

For information on local enforcement including reporting illegal parking problems, contact the local parking manager at your local council.

How the Partnership operates

The Notts Parking Partnership has employed NSL Services to supply Civil Enforcement Officers (formerly known as Traffic Wardens) to enforce parking restrictions in the county. They provide approximately 20 officers across the county.

The District and Borough Parking Managers manage parking enforcement in their respective areas. This consists of allocating daily patrol 'beats', issuing daily parking dispensations (permits), informing Enforcement Officers about reported parking issues and resolving formal appeals.

The County Council operates a single Penalty Charge Notice (parking fine) processing centre which ensures that all correspondence relating to Penalty Charge Notices is fairly and consistently responded to within set timescales.

Operational guidance to ensure that Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued within Nottinghamshire are dealt with fairly and consistently.

Details

This policy guidance has been prepared by the Civil Parking Enforcement Project Board for Nottinghamshire. This Board comprises of officers or representatives from:

  • Nottinghamshire County Council
  • Ashfield District Council
  • Broxtowe Borough Council
  • Gedling Borough Council
  • Mansfield District Council
  • Newark and Sherwood District Council
  • Rushcliffe Borough Council.

The advice contained within this document is intended to both assist the public in understanding how parking is enforced in the county and to support both council and contracted employees when undertaking enforcement and in particular when assessing representations.

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