Council also sets up online parking service
Motorists in Merton can now see how the council enforces traffic regulations after it published its own parking charter.
The council says the charter is a two-way promise between the council and road users, balancing the necessity of enforcing the rules of the road in Merton with the needs of drivers who want to get around the borough with ease.
As well as what motorists can expect from Merton Borough council, the charter also sets out what the council can expect from motorists.
It has also launched a new online parking service, where drivers can more easily deal with parking-related issues.
In the charter, the council promises never to set targets or quotas for the number of penalty charge notices issued by the civil enforcement officers. It also promises that civil enforcement officers (CEOS) will always be polite, that all CCTV mobile enforcement vehicles are clearly marked with signs indicating CCTV enforcement and that the council will be flexible and reasonable in their consideration of each appeal. Expectations of what the council expects from road users are that they follow the highway code and are courteous to the CEOs as they carry out their work.
The council also says its online parking service at www.merton.gov.uk/parking will allow residents to speed up applications and renewals of parking permits, and deal quickly with any penalty charge notice (PCN). Also included is an online appeals mechanism. In line with Merton's desire to be a transparent and open council, it has developed an online facility enabling motorists to type in their vehicle registration number and PCN reference and see photographic evidence of the incident.
Merton Council cabinet member for performance and implementation Councillor Mark Betteridge said: "Through our new parking charter, we want to show residents that we are being open and flexible about how we enforce traffic regulations.
"Nobody likes getting a parking ticket, but if we didn't enforce traffic and parking regulations, we would quickly see our roads congested and residential streets blocked by badly parked cars. This charter is part of what we're doing to go the extra mile to ensure motorists can be certain that we are being fair in our traffic enforcement."
Merton's parking charter is on the council's website at: www.merton.gov.uk/parkingcharter.
November 13, 2012
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