Devon parking fines on their way back

It'll cost you!

On-street parking fines are on their way back - but not till next week. Devon County Council has started sending its traffic wardens to area that are seeing a rise in visitors now that lockdown has been relaxed.

Until next Monday, 25 May, they're just wagging their fingers and telling motorists off. Next week, you could end up with a ticket with a £60 sting in its tail.

The council says that for now officers will be patrolling central areas of local communities to maintain the availability of short stay on-street parking, and to ensure drivers park safely. 

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highway management, said: “Some of our local communities, particularly coastal resorts, are calling for enforcement officers to help deal with parking issues that are arising from increased numbers of visitors, so we will be gradually scaling up our enforcement operations from this week.

"While the pandemic continues, consideration will be provided via the appeals process, and should a driver receive a penalty charge notice, the impact of changing enforcement will be fully considered along with any other mitigation they may offer. We will also be considering some form of short-term permits for those continuing to have to work from home or self-isolate.”

Care and health workers already benefit from the existing parking exemption scheme, and those with the ‘timeclock’ issued by the county council can continue to park without time restriction in areas of limited waiting, residents’ parking, and on-street pay and display, as well as currently up to two hours on single and double yellow line ‘no waiting’ restrictions.

For care and health workers that do not have the ‘timeclock’ parking exemption, the council is extending its old permit scheme until Tuesday 30 June whereby a permit can be downloaded and printed for use in limited waiting, residents’ parking areas, on-street pay and display, but not on single or double yellow lines.

Devon County Council is working with the RD&E Trust and has issued dispensation permits for key workers to park in areas of limited waiting, residents’ parking areas, and on-street pay and display near to the hospital. There is also an agreement from Exeter City Council enabling Trust staff to use these permits in their nearby off-street car parks. The national NHS parking pass, distributed by the NHS is also accepted, and NHS staff are encouraged to visitwww.nhs-freeparking.co.uk.

Grace periods are continuing to be offered on expired residents’ permits until Tuesday 30 June. Everyone using pay and display areas is asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines and are encouraged to pay for parking ‘hands free’ using the Phone and Pay app.

Anyone paying by cash at a parking meter is asked to ensure they use hand sanitiser before and after using the meter.

Although enforcement of on-street parking across Devon was temporarily relaxed near the end of March, ‘no waiting’ restrictions (including single yellow lines and double yellow lines) have had to be enforced throughout lockdown. They will continue to be enforced to enable clear access for emergency vehicles, care workers, food delivery and refuse collection.

Parking enforcement officers will continue to be instructed to follow social distancing rules and good hand hygiene. They will be deployed in vehicles in order to minimise social contact, but they will expect to spend more time patrolling on foot in areas where there is on-street parking.