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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are the Councils considering Decriminalised Parking Enforcement?

As Cheshire Police have many responsibilities, parking enforcement has a lower priority than crime fighting and other traffic offences. With the local authority taking on the enforcement of parking, loading and waiting restrictions, more resources can be applied to provide enforcement to meet local needs.

The benefits of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement are:

• Bus stops - allowing buses to pull easily into the kerb making it easier for disabled people and those with pushchairs or heavy shopping to board or alight from buses.
  
• Emergency service vehicles will be less likely to find their route blocked.
  
• Main roads will be kept clear of illegally parked vehicles thereby reducing congestion.
  
• Support local businesses - where there are areas of short term parking outside local shops. As drivers will no longer be able to park for longer periods it will make it easier for shoppers to find spaces.
  
• Support city/town centre viability - commuters and other drivers requiring long stay parking will be encouraged to use appropriate long stay car parks freeing town centre short stay spaces for shoppers and other short stay visitors.
  
• Benefits for disabled drivers - increased enforcement will ensure that parking spaces designated for Blue Badge holders are not occupied by non-entitled vehicles.

2. Will the Police be responsible for any parking enforcement?

The Police will not be responsible for enforcing any yellow line restrictions. However they will enforce temporary waiting restrictions marked by "Police No Waiting" cones at special events such as carnivals and sports events.

The Police will continue to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for parking on white zigzag markings at pedestrian crossings as this offence also carries penalty points.

The Police will continue to deal with parked vehicles that cause obstruction, all moving vehicle offences and will take action against any vehicle where security or other traffic policing issues are involved.

3. Is this a fund raising exercise?

No. The income from enforcement will come only from drivers who park illegally. Most of the income will fund the cost of providing the enforcement. If any surpluses are made they are subject to strict regulations on how they are spent. Any such surpluses will only be spent in the Borough in which the PCN's were issued.

4. Have any other Councils introduced Decriminalised Parking Enforcement?

Over 100 Councils have introduced Decriminalised Parking Enforcement across Britain. Near Cheshire these include Manchester, Warrington, Liverpool, Wirral, Shropshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

5. Where and When will Decriminalised Parking Enforcement take place?

Local Authority enforcement will cover all roads and Council public car parks in the Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council area except for:

• M6
• A49 within Crewe & Nantwich Borough.
• A500 from M6 junction 16 via Hough/Shavington Bypass and Nantwich bypass to A500/A51/B5074 Reaseheath roundabout.
• A5020 from the A500 to the A5020/A532 Weston Road/University Way roundabout.
• A534 from Crewe Green roundabout (A534/B5077/A5020/A532) to the Crewe & Nantwich Borough/Congleton Borough boundary near Wheelock Heath.

Enforcement could be carried out on any day and at any time that a parking restriction is in force. The frequency of patrols will be determined to meet local demands and circumstances.

6. Will parking regulations be changing?

Parking Regulations will not be changing as a result of introducing Decriminalised Parking Enforcement.

7. How do I ask for yellow lines to be changed or new ones introduced?

If you consider that yellow lines and parking regulations are not appropriate or you would like new ones to be considered, please contact - Email engineering@cheshire.gov.uk 

8. How much is a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN)?

A PCN for any on-street or car park contravention will cost £70. This is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days of issue. If the payment is not made or no response is made to reminders the Charge will increase. Unpaid tickets are a civil debt recoverable through the County Court in the same way as any other such debt.

9. If I receive a PCN will I get penalty points on my driving licence?

No, although penalty points can still be applied for certain driving offences enforced by the Police under criminal law.

10. How do I pay my PCN?

Details of how and where to pay a PCN will be given on the back of the PCN. Parking Attendants cannot accept payment.

Payment can be made through any of the Borough Council's cash offices, by post, by telephone (credit or debit card) or via the Borough Council's internet site.

11. Who is responsible for paying the PCN?

The owner/keeper of the vehicle is legally responsible for paying the PCN. It is that person who will be pursued in any further action. This means that if you lend your car to a friend you will be responsible for any PCN's

12. How can I appeal or object to the PCN?

Instructions will be given on the PCN on how to object or appeal against it. If you are unhappy with the Council's decision you will be given the chance to state your case, either in person or in writing to an independent adjudicator who will consider the evidence and decide whether the PCN must be paid.

13. Will Parking Attendants be paid bonuses to meet targets for the number of PCN's issued?

The Parking Attendants will not be set targets or quotas. Their objectives will be to keep traffic flowing and create clearer streets. All Parking Attendants will undergo comprehensive training to achieve nationally recognised standards of competence. Motorists may notice a difference in the number of PCN's issued as the Council will be employing more Parking Attendants to enforce parking restrictions.

14. Will wheel clamping or towing away of illegally parked vehicles take place?

Not initially, although the powers to introduce either option will be available to the Council. Cheshire Police will continue to use their existing powers to remove vehicles causing an obstruction.

15. I am a Blue Badge holder, how will the changes affect me?

There will be no changes to the regulations. You can usually park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, except where there is a ban on loading or unloading. The Blue Badge must be displayed together with the parking disc showing the time of arrival.

Where there is "limited waiting" you can park without any time limit subject to displaying your Blue Badge.

16. Can I get a permit to park on yellow lines outside my house or business?

No, there is no permit scheme that allows parking on yellow lines, however, you may park for sufficient time as is necessary to load or unload goods.

17. Can I get a permit to park on yellow lines whilst carrying out building works, removals etc?

In certain circumstances dispensation can be issued for specific times to allow for certain activities such as building works or removals. Details of the application form and costs can be obtained by contacting Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council on 01270 537549.

18. Will I receive a PCN for parking on a pavement or verge?

You can receive a PCN if you park partly or wholly on a pavement or verge that is adjacent to yellow lines. If you park a LGV (Large Goods Vehicle) or HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) on a pavement or verge you may receive a PCN even if there are no yellow lines. Vehicles parked on pavements create obstructions for pedestrians, and damage the surface and equipment underneath.

For information about car parks, please contact:

Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council on 01270 537549.