Publicity
The importance of complying with parking regulations
283. Non-compliance with parking controls is endemic
in the UK. We had evidence that only about a tenth of parking
contraventions result in a Penalty Charge Notice being issued.[238]
284. Critics of parking enforcement can fail to recognise
the importance of enforcement in keeping traffic moving, bus services
running to time, and ensuring road safety. The Institution of
Highways and Transportation summarised the important effect of
parking contraventions on the transport network:
Taken in isolation individual acts of non-compliance
usually have little measurable effect. However, when non-compliance
becomes the norm, the result is adverse impact on road safety,
on accessibility, on the local environment and on the economy
while the financial and policy base for providing off-street parking
can be undermined. Public transport users and the elderly and
disabled are among those that are disadvantaged by inconsiderate
and 'illegal' parking.[239]
285. While parking regulations and their enforcement
mean less absolute freedom for individuals, there is a high degree
of support from the public for controls and for firm action to
deter contraventions. The 2004 Association of London Government
Survey of Londoners found that 67 per cent of Londoners thought
that action against illegal parking in London should remain the
same or get stronger.[240]
Raising awareness
286. We heard evidence that people park illegally
from selfish motives.[241]
We accept this, but many people will contravene parking regulations
because they have failed to understand the restrictions in force.
All parking policies should make clear why the management of parking
is necessary, and explain the rationale for particular restrictions.
287. 'Living Streets' summarised the advantages of
better publicity in this context:
The regime is there to make life tolerable for
everyone, but if it is not explained properly to drivers, they
can feel they are being unfairly penalised. Public awareness campaigns
to explain to drivers what to look for when they park, and why
the different kinds of restrictions are in place, are needed.[242]
The Institution of Highways and Transportation identified
that the most successful decriminalised parking enforcement schemes
had been supported by good public relations strategies.[243]
The Technical Advisers Group suggested that all levels of government,
as well as professional groups, should take every opportunity
to work with the press to raise awareness and explain the issues.[244]
First Group Plc suggested that information about parking regulations
and the importance of compliance should be provided in the information
packs posted out with Council Tax information.[245]
Publicity campaigns would be particularly useful in council areas
about to commence civil parking enforcement.
288. Many people see the point of sensible parking
constraints without which management of our streets would be impossible.
There are good grounds for believing that compliance with parking
rules would be higher however if more people understood the reasons
for having parking controls and associated enforcement. There
is strong support in the transport sector for information strategies
to achieve this result. All councils which embark on civil parking
enforcement must undertake (and review subsequently) a thorough
publicity campaign to raise levels of understanding about parking
regulation and to promote public debate as to why compliance is
important. Embarking on such a campaign only when public confidence
in the enforcement regime is in tatters is not good enough. The
Department for Transport must support public communications exercises,
and should make appropriate publicity material available on a
national basis.
289. The process of learning to drive presents another
opportunity to explain the importance of compliance with parking
regulations, and how to identify those that are in force.[246]
When people are learning how to drive the importance of parking
regulations should be an integral part of their instruction. The
Department for Transport must explore whether more can be done
to reinforce the message of responsible compliance as a part of
driving instruction and the driving examination. Consideration
should be given by the Department about whether there is scope
for fuller advice on parking to be provided in the Highway Code.
Consultation, consent, engagement
290. Better public acceptance of the regulations
in force will also be promoted if local people are involved more
extensively in the process of making the regulations. The Procedure
Regulations process requires local authorities to consult local
representatives before adopting parking regulations.[247]
The Institution of Highways and Transportation, which has recently
published good practice guidance entitled, 'Parking Strategies
and Management', indicated that consultation should be used to
define clear objectives for parking strategies and policies.[248]
The Department told us:
The first thing that an authority needs to do
to achieve public understanding and acceptance of its parking
policies is to carry out full and open consultation on draft policies
before bringing them into force... They will then have to take
account of the responses. Local authorities need to know what
is required by residents, businesses and visitors; introduce policies
and regulations that balance those needs; and then enforce them
fairly and reasonably.
291. There is scope however for doing more than a
'one off' consultation. We took evidence about the benefits of
continuing to consult local representatives to ensure regulations
remain relevant.[249]
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea explained its process
for responding to local need through consultation:
In 2000 the Council consulted every household
in the Borough requesting their views on whether the controls
should be extended to evenings and weekends. Controls were extended
during the evenings but only in a coherent way to minimise confusion...
The key point is that the Council rarely initiates change but
change comes from representations from, and then consultation
with, the local community (emphasis applied).[250]
292. Camden Council described the important role
that thorough local consultation can have in shaping views and
designing policies which, when implemented, command local support
and successfully meet local requirements. The Council explained
that it has only proceeded on the basis of extensive and detailed
consultation, which has sought to establish community support
for controls:
It is, perhaps, pertinent to note that although
many people may well initially be opposed to or sceptical about
parking controls, when the subject is considered in detail during
consultations, and the pros and cons are carefully weighed, there
has always eventually been a clear majority in favour of controls.
It is also worth noting that in every case where a new Controlled
Parking Zone has been reviewed after at least 6 months of operation,
support for controls has generally increased.[251]
293. The point of consultation about parking controls
is that it should be a process and not a single event. This is
because the needs of localities will change over time and controls
will require updating. Consultation is not only a process of engagement
with local people, but involves gaining continuing consent. Regular
local consultation and evaluation are essential to achieve such
a high level of legitimacy in parking regimes. The Department
for Transport should ensure at the least that a commitment to
consultation is made mandatory prior to the adoption of civil
parking enforcement powers. It should promote a sophisticated
approach to local consultations on parking. The success or failure
of local authorities' parking measures depends upon a high level
of local acceptance and active cooperation.
238 Ev 47 Back
239
Ev 44 Back
240
Ev 136, Ev 19 Back
241
Ev 01 Back
242
Ev 51 Back
243
Ev 44 Back
244
Ev 47 Back
245
Ev 166 Back
246
Ev 6, Ev 47 Back
247
Para 168 Back
248
Ev 44 Back
249
Ev 136, Ev 148 Back
250
Ev 148 Back
251
Ev 136 Back
