Changes to Parking Regulations in Barnsley District

Changes to Parking Enforcement

What is Decriminalised Parking Enforcement?

From 4th July 2005, the Council will take responsibility for enforcing on-street parking, loading and waiting restrictions in the borough. This is currently the job of South Yorkshire Police (through its Traffic Wardens). Under the new arrangements the Council will employ a team of Parking Attendants who will patrol the streets and car parks to enforce parking restrictions. Enforcement will be carried out by Council employed Parking Attendants issuing Penalty Charge Notices.

Do any other local areas have similar arrangements?

Many towns and cities nation-wide have adopted the powers, including the whole of London. Locally, Sheffield will adopt these powers on 4th April 2005. Rotherham and Doncaster will take on responsibility for enforcement as decriminalised parking enforcement areas also on 4th July 2005.

What does 'decriminalised' mean?

The difference lies in the details of the respective legislation. At present, if a Traffic Warden issues you with a Fixed Penalty Notice, you have committed a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1984 and if you do not pay the Notice, you can end up in a Magistrates Court, which is a criminal court. In future, when decriminalised enforcement under the Road Traffic Act 1991 is operating, if you receive a Penalty Charge Notice from a Parking Attendant you have committed a civil, not criminal, offence. Therefore, you do not have recourse to the Magistrates Court system. Any unpaid debts will be pursued through a streamlined County Court system culminating in bailiff action.

Who will be Responsible for Paying a Parking Fine?

Legally the owner / keeper of the vehicle is responsible and it is the owner / keeper who will be pursued in any further action.

Eligibility

All

Procedure

Customers will need to be aware of the new parking regulations as they will apply across the Borough, not just Barnsley Town Centre.

Helplines

For information regarding the changes please contact Alan Turton Car Parking Manager on 01226 772163

Method of Payments

Currently parking in areas where charges apply is by Pay and Display. At present there are no plans to change the method of payment. Although Season tickets and a limited number of reserved bays are available to regular Town Centre Car Park users.

Payment of Charge Notices can be made by cash/cheque/postal order at any of the Council's Cash Offices. By Post sending a cheque / postal order made payable to Barnsley MBC. Or alternatively by credit / debit card if you call 01226 772164.

Opening times / locaions

Regualtions apply on the Councils On & Off Street Parking areas between 8.00am and 6.00pm

How the Customer can help

Please ensure that you adhere to the parking regulations at all times.

Application form for reserved bays / season tickets

Application forms for reserved bays and season ticketa are available on 01226 772164

Leaflets

Leaflets explaining new regulations are to be delivered to every home in the Barnsley area in the near future.

Distribution points

Information will be available from all Council Offices in the very near future. It is also planned for leaflets to be distributed to all households ib the Borough.

Legislation

New legislation will apply shortly

Response times / Next Steps

Parking Services staff aim to reply to all enquiries within 14 working days.

Out of Office Hours

There is a Voicemail box. Parking Service aim to repond to all messages as soon as is possible.

Process Owner and contact details

Sharon Taylor

Out of Office Hours

There is a Voicemail box. Parking Service aim to repond to all messages as soon as is possible.