Parking Enforcement Annual Report 2007/08: Gateshead Council

Gateshead Council
Parking Enforcement
Annual Report 2007/08
October 2008
1
Purpose of the Annual Report
Under Section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended by the Traffic
Management Act 2004, all English authorities must keep an account of all income and
expenditure in designated (i.e. on-street) parking spaces which are in a Civil
Enforcement Area, and of their income and expenditure related to their functions as an
enforcement authority.
Regulations and guidance confirm that in respect of off-street parking places i.e. car
parks), the term ‘’income and expenditure as enforcement authorities’’ includes that
related to the issue of Penalty Charge Notices. It does not, for example, include pay and
display or permit/season ticket income or the direct expenditure relating to collecting that
income.
This annual report is intended to explain to the public and stakeholders how the service
is managed in Gateshead and to provide information regarding its performance.
Reporting is an important part of accountability, as the transparency given by regular
and consistent reporting helps the public understand and accept Civil Parking
Enforcement.
This report provides details of Gateshead Council’s parking enforcement arrangements

from 02 July 2007 – 31 March 2008.
2
Table of Contents
1.0 PARKING CONTROL OBJECTIVES p4

1.1 Background p4
1.2 Policy Context p4
2.0 GATESHEAD PARKING PROFILE p6

2.1 Car Parks p6
2.1.1 The Safer Parking Scheme p9
2.2 On Street p10
2.2.1 Metered Parking Bays p10
2.2.2 Dedicated Disabled Bays p10
2.2.3 Police Vehicle Only Bays p10
2.2.4 Permit Parking Zones p11
3.0 PARKING ENFORCEMENT p14

3.1 Parking Enforcement Protocol p14
3.2 Implementation Plan p15
3.3 Deployment Strategy p16
4.0 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE p17

4.1 Parking Services Revenue Budget
5.0 STATISTICAL PERFORMANCE p20

5.1 Off Street Penalty Charge Notices (PCN’s) p20
5.2 On Street Penalty Charge Notices p20
5.3 Cancellations p20
5.4 Payment Stage p21
5.5 Challenges and Representations p21
6.0 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS p22
APPENDICES
A – Month by month breakdown of PCN’s issued in Car Parks p25
B – PCN’s issued by Car Park p27
C – PCN’s issued in Council Car Parks by Contraventions p29
D – Month by month breakdown of PCN’s issued in On-street p31
E – PCN’s issued for On-street Parking Contraventions p33
F – Month by month breakdown of PCN’s cancelled p35
G – PCN’s cancelled as a percentage of the number issued p37
H – PCN Payments by Stage p39
3
1.0 PARKING CONTROL OBJECTIVES
1.1 Background
Primary legislation set out in the Traffic Management Act 2004 imposes a new statutory duty
on all local traffic authorities to manage their highway network so as to achieve, as far as
reasonably practicable and taking into account their other duties and responsibilities, the
expeditious movement of traffic on their highways (i.e. both pedestrian and vehicular). An
efficient, proactive enforcement regime to combat inconsiderate parking is seen as an
essential element in fulfilling this duty.
The 1991 Road Traffic Act provided for local authorities to apply for powers to decriminalise
parking offences. These powers allowed local authorities to take over the responsibility for
enforcing parking restrictions from the Police and to retain the income received from the
penalties to fund their enforcement activities. Under this legislation, offences are
decriminalised, so that a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) is a charge to the Council not a fine
payable to the Police or a Magistrates Court. Other highway offences, which can give rise to
endorsement of a licence remain a criminal offence and continue to be enforced by
Northumbria Police i.e. dangerous parking, obstruction.
The main advantages of local authority enforcement of regulations are as follows:
• Effective implementation of parking policies seeking improved traffic flow, better

management of traffic levels, fewer accidents, a fairer distribution of parking spaces
and more pleasant streets.
• Better monitoring of the effectiveness and value of regulations
• Ability of local authorities to use the revenue from charges to fund enforcement with
any surplus used for improving off-street parking or other transport related measures.
1.2 Policy Context
The District Annexe for Gateshead of the Local Transport Plan states with respect to parking
that:
"Gateshead Council will control on and off-street parking to support the economic viability of
the Borough, regeneration initiatives and reduce the adverse environmental impacts of car
travel."
The introduction of DPE is in line with the vision for transport as outlined in the Gateshead
Community Strategy and Towards 2010 and embodied in the Gateshead Transport Strategy
Statement:
‘Local people and businesses who have easy access to integrated, safe and affordable
transport which supports economic growth and balances the needs of all users in a
responsible way.’
4
The Gateshead Transport Strategy Statement brings together the main themes of the LTP
together with other transport related strategies in a single summary document for Gateshead.
This recognises the importance of:
• Resolving localised parking problems, particularly where demand for parking is greater
than supply due to commuter parking or high levels of car ownership;
• Identifying ways of reducing the problems of parked vehicles obstructing pavements;
• Effective management of car parking, including appropriate levels of charging in
Gateshead town centre and other important locations throughout the Borough
The council’s policy acknowledges that parking contributes significantly to many of the
problems it seeks to address such as delays to public transport, junction safety and safety
around schools.
The Council’s parking control objectives are to:
• Minimise the use of vehicles in the busiest and congested areas at what experience
and research shows to be the most appropriate times;
• At the same time provide sufficient short-stay parking facilities to support shops/
commercial organisations and leisure activities thereby underpinning social and
economic life;
• Reduce the risk of accidents;
• Safeguard the needs and requirements of residents, businesses/ organisations and
visitors;
• Improve traffic conditions;
• Encourage the use of public transport;
• Preserve and improve the infrastructure and the general environment;
• Increase and improve pedestrian and cyclist mobility;
• Regulate and control parking both on and off street.
Parking operations will contribute towards these objectives by providing:
• On and off street enforcement by patrolling permitted and restricted areas together with
the Council’s off street car parks and parking places and issuing PCNs in regard to
contraventions observed;
• Management and administration of suspensions/ dispensations;
• Ongoing checking of (1) adequacy of signs and markings; and (2) possible and actual
faulty Pay & Display machines/ meters (P&Ds);
• Permit parking schemes.
Such operations will embrace the following activities:
• The issue and serving by Civil Enforcement Officers of warning notices (where
applicable) and/or PCNs where vehicles are observed to be parking in contravention of
the regulations – both on and off street;
• Reporting inadequacies of and/or damage to signs and markings;
• Suspension procedures for P&Ds/ bays.
5
2.0 GATESHEAD’S PARKING PROFILE
2.1 Car Parks
• Back Durham Road Car Park, Birtley

Free car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays with
designated disabled bays.
• Back Harraton Terrace Car Park, Birtley

Free car park. No annual permits applicable. No markings or dedicated disabled bays.
• Back Walker Terrace/Back Regent Terrace Car Park, Gateshead

Permit Holders only Monday – Friday 8.00am to 6pm. Charges apply on Saturday and
Sunday. Car park marked out in bays. No designated disabled bays.
• Baltic Car Park, Gateshead

Charges apply 8.00am to 9.00pm all days. Annual permit scheme in operation. Car
park marked out in bays with designated disabled bays.
• Blaydon Shopping Precinct Car Park, Blaydon

• Church Street Car Park, Gateshead

park marked out in bays with designated disabled and motorcycle bays.
• Claremont Street Car Park, Gateshead

Free car park. No annual permits applicable. Car park marked out in bays with no
• Coach Park, Gateshead

Charges apply 8.00am to 9.00pm all days. Only coaches are eligible to park in this car
park.
• Computer House, High Street, Gateshead

Permit Holders only Monday – Friday 8.00am to 6pm. Free car park Saturday and
• Cromwell Place Car Park, Winlaton

• Cross Keys Lane Car Park, Low Fell

6
• Felling Metro Car Park, Felling
Charges apply 7.00am to 8.00pm all days. Car park marked out in bays with
• Felling Shopping Precinct – Victoria Square Car Park, Felling

• Fewster Square – Meresyde Car Park, Leam Lane

• Fewster Square – Whinbrooke Car Park, Leam Lane

• Garden Street Car Park, Gateshead

• Gateshead Leisure Centre Car Park, Gateshead

• Heworth North Car Park, Heworth

• Heworth South Car Park, Heworth

Charges apply 7.00am to 8.00pm all days. Car park marked out in bays with
• High Street Car Park, Felling

• Hilda House Car Park, Gateshead

Sunday. Car park marked out in bays with designated disabled bays.
• Lowery’s Lane Car Park, Low Fell

• Mill Road Car Park, Gateshead

7
• Multi-storey Car Park, West Street, Gateshead
Charges apply 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Saturday. Car park marked out in bays
with designated disabled bays.
• Pipewellgate Car Park, Gateshead

• Prince Consort Road Car Park, Gateshead

designated disabled and motorcycle bays.
• Ravensworth Road Car Park, Dunston

• Regent Court Car Park, Gateshead

• Ryton RFC Car Park, Ryton

• South Shore Road Car Park, Gateshead

• St Bede’s Drive Car Park, Gateshead

• Sunderland Road Car Park, Gateshead

• Swalwell Bank Car Park, Swalwell

• Swinburne Street Car Park, Gateshead

• Town Hall Car Park, Gateshead

8
• Whickham Shopping Precinct Car Park (East), Whickham
• Whickham Shopping Precinct Car Park (West), Whickham -

• Winlaton Central Car Park, Winlaton

• Wrekenton Centre Car Park, Wrekenton

2.1.1 The Safer Parking Scheme
The Safer Parking Scheme is managed by the British Parking Association in conjunction with
the Association of Chief Police Officers. The scheme was introduced by the Government in
order to promote safe and secure parking facilities all over the country. High security
standards reduce the fear and perception of crime.
To be awarded a 'Park Mark' car parks are independently judged to have achieved high
standards of security. Owners and operators must meet a stringent set of standards, including
good design and management and provide an effective level of security patrols, good lighting
and help points.
Over 1120 car parks in the UK currently hold Park Mark status and operators as well as users
have seen the benefits of increased security within car parks. In recognition of our investment
in security, Gateshead Council is proud to be the holder of seven of these prestigious awards.
The public car parks that have achieved the Park Mark Award are:
• Baltic Car Park, Gateshead Quays

• Church Street Car Park, Gateshead Quays
• Swinburne Street Car Park, Gateshead
• Heworth North (Long Stay) Car Park, Heworth
• Back Durham Road (North) Car Park, Birtley
• Wrekenton Centre Car Park, Wrekenton
The private car park that has achieved the Park Mark Award is:
• Civic Centre Car Park, Gateshead
Gateshead Council will continue to strive to ensure that all public car parks in the Borough are
brought up to the standards set out in the Park Mark Safer Parking scheme.
9
2.2 On Street
On street enforcement is carried out in all areas where Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs)
exist.
There are 103km of waiting restriction in the authority’s area
2.2.1 Metered Parking Bays are in operation on the following streets within the borough:
• High Street, Gateshead – operating 08:30 – 17:30 Monday to Saturday

• Hudson Street, Gateshead – operating 08:30 – 17:30 Monday to Friday
• Lambton Street, Gateshead – operating 08:00 – 18:00 All days
• Nelson Street, Gateshead – operating 08:00 – 18:00 All days
• Swinburne Place, Gateshead – operating 08:00 – 18:00 All days
• Swinburne Street, Gateshead – operating 08:00 – 18:00 All days
• Walker Terrace, Gateshead – operating 08:30 – 17:30 Monday to Saturday
This is not a definitive list, as additional streets will be added in the future in accordance with
the Council’s parking strategy.
2.2.2 Dedicated Disabled Bays are in operation on the following streets within the borough:
• Durham Road, Low Fell

• Ellison Street, Gateshead
• Front Street, Whickham
• Galloping Green Road, Wrekenton
• Gladstone Terrace, Gateshead
• Jackson Street, Gateshead
• Longrigg Lane, Leam Lane
• Performance Square Access Road, Gateshead
• Service areas to the west of Leam Lane
• South Shore Road, Gateshead
• St. Mary’s Square Loop Road, Gateshead
• Stirling Lane, Rowlands Gill
• West Street, Gateshead
• Worchester Green Access Road, Gateshead
All the bays operate 24 hours. This is not a definitive list, as additional bays will be added in
the future in accordance with the Council’s parking strategy.
2.2.3 Police Vehicle Only Bays are in operation on the following street within the borough:
• Warwick Street, Gateshead
10
2.2.4 Permit Parking Zones are in operation on the following streets within the borough:
• Zone A – Church Chare, Whickham
Hours of operation = All day, every day

Streets included: Church Chare
• Zone B – Duckpool Lane, Whickham
Hours of operation = All day, every day

Streets included: Duckpool Lane
• Zone C – Queen Elizabeth Avenue Area
Hours of operation = Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 6.00pm

Streets included: Charnwood Gardens
Windy Nook Road
Queen Elizabeth Avenue
Southend Road
• Zone D – Bewick Road, Gateshead
Hours of operation = Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 10.00am, 2.00pm - 3.00pm

Streets included: Bewick Road
• Zone E – Coburg Street, Gateshead

Streets included: Coburg Street
• Zone F – Denmark Street, Gateshead

Streets included: Denmark Street
• Zone G – Denmark Street, Gateshead

Property included: O/S 26 Denmark Street only (one permit only issued for this
zone)
• Zone H – Ely Street, Gateshead

Streets included: Ely Street
11
• Zone J – Worcester Green Area

Streets included: Worcester Green
Peterborough Close
Chichester Close
• Zone K – Gateshead Leisure Centre Area

Streets included: Alexandra Road
St Albans Terrace
• Zone L – Villa Place, Gateshead

Streets included: Villa Place
• Zone M – Low Heworth Lane Area

Streets included: Low Heworth Lane
Netherfarm Road
• Zone N – Sunderland Road Area

Streets included: Ridley Terrace
Stowell Terrace
The Bungalows
St Mary’s Terrace
• Zone O – Sunderland Road Villas, Heworth

Streets included: Sunderland Road Villas
• Zone P – The Drive, Heworth

Streets included: The Drive
• Zone Q – Affleck Street, Gateshead

Streets included: Affleck Street
12
• Zone R – Clement Street, Low Fell

Streets included: Clement Street
• Zone T – Stephenson Terrace, Felling

Streets included: Stephenson Terrace
This is not a definitive list, as additional zones will be added in the future in accordance with
the Council’s parking strategy.
13
3.0 PARKING ENFORCEMENT
The enforcement operation is carried out by Parking Attendants (PA’s). Through an

examination of the factors that provided the greatest long-term benefits in terms of quality of
service, the Council chose to commence DPE using an internal enforcement/internal notice
processing system.
The Parking enforcement element of the function is another integrated component of the
Neighbourhood Warden Service, benefiting from the strong links that the service has with key
strategic partners such as the police, The Gateshead Housing Company and Nexus. A
dedicated first-line manager has been introduced although the new element shares overall
service and operational management arrangements. This builds on the principle of developing
a mutually supporting neighbourhood warden service with a particular emphasis on
community safety.
Key operational support to parking enforcement is provided by the service’s Operations

Centre at Shearlegs Road Depot, which operates 24 hours 7 days a week. This facility also
offers potential for future traffic enforcement using CCTV systems.
In order to reduce the risk of the authority being unable to achieve financial sustainability in
providing a quality enforcement service in the first two years, it is proposed that an interim
scheme be considered as an initial phase.
The interim scheme, throughout the first year, is based on a reduced number of PA’s being
deployed relative to the ultimate enforcement resource. This reflects the fact that it will take
some time to develop an effective enforcement strategy as compliance levels will fluctuate
from area to area once the scheme matures and becomes respected.
The interim option is intended as a short-term scheme over the first 18 - 24 months of
operation and once initial operational issues have been resolved the system will migrate
towards the full operation.
The Parking Services Team is jointly funded from monies generated by DPE and existing
funding generated by charged off-street car parks, on-street Pay & Display and resident
parking schemes. To reflect the reduced number of PA’s operating in the two years, the
Notice Processing element of the staff will not be fully staffed during the two year’s of
operation. The additional employees will be phased in over a period of 18 - 24 months
depending on workload.
3.1 Enforcement Protocol
The Council is committed to being transparent about its parking and enforcement activity for
which it is accountable.
It has therefore produced the following documents which are free to read or download on the
Council website www.gateshead.gov.uk.
14
Gateshead Parking Strategy: This outlines the policy framework for the operation of CPE
and defines the role of parking in the overall transport and regeneration strategies of the
Council.
Parking Services Procedures: This manual provides a detailed but ‘user-friendly’ guide
describing the daily tasks needed by the Council to administer all the activities associated
with operating a CPE regime.
Gateshead’s Enforcement Guidance: This is a dynamic reference document, produced

predominantly for the Notice Processing team within Parking Services and covering the
majority of circumstances that regularly occur in letters, representations or appeals to the
Adjudicator. It is not intended to be a guide to processing Penalty Charge Notices, nor to
replace knowledge of the regulations and Council’s policies and practices, but to provide a
reference manual for common situations that arise in letters, representations and appeals.
For ease of use, categories have been listed in alphabetical order.
Gateshead Council is currently in discussion with other Local Authorities in the North East
Region to try and develop regional policies with respect to how their enforcement duties are
undertaken. This is intended to promote consistency of process as well as clarity and
transparency as all councils will work to an agreed set of policy and operational guidelines.
This approach will result in greater public understanding of and confidence in the enforcement
processes, it will also move towards compliance with the aspirations of both the TPT and the
Local Government Ombudsman.
Parking Charter: This is a public declaration of Gateshead Council’s commitment to provide

an effective, safe and friendly parking service
3.2 Implementation Plan
The Council felt it was essential to make the public aware of the implications of
Decriminalisation in Gateshead prior to its commencement and within the first few months of
operation. An extensive media campaign commenced in December 2006, the principle
objective of which was to advise and prepare motorists for the forthcoming changes, to offer
advice on where and how to park legally, and to encourage the use of other modes of
transport. The media campaign included sizeable articles in the local newspapers and
Council News, which is distributed free of charge to all households in Gateshead and the
preparation of a Glove box guide ‘How NOT to get a parking ticket’. This was available in free
of charge from Civic Building receptions, Libraries, etc. or posted out on request. The booklet
proved extremely popular, with 20,000 being printed and distributed. Many of these in the
months leading up to and the 3 – 4 months after implementation.
Following implementation on the 02 July 2007, the Council took the decision, not to issue any
PCN’s for on-street parking contraventions during July. Instead Warning Notices were
issued, to give drivers further notification of the forthcoming changes in the enforcement
regime.
15
3.3 Deployment Strategy
Staff deployment is undertaken in shifts using a system of “beats” to cover areas where
enforcement is carried out. A deployment strategy for the Civil Enforcement Officers has
been established to achieve a certain frequency of patrol to the varying types of restrictions
and permitted parking places. CEO’s are on duty throughout controlled hours, as applied to
the various zones within the borough, plus certain other hours outside of normal controlled
hours, as needs dictate. The routine hours of the on-street operation are Monday to Saturday
07:30 – 18:30, with a reduced evening resource operating between 18:30 and midnight;
Sunday will be 9:30 – 18:00. The routine hours of the off-street operation are Monday to
Saturday 07:00 – 20:00 and Sunday 10:00 – 18:00. These hours of operation are regularly
adjusted to provide an effective, proactive enforcement strategy for both on-street and off-
street operations.
16
4.0 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE (02 July 2007 – 31 March 2008)
The financial operation of a DPE system is broken down into two distinct elements namely
costs (expenditure) and income (revenue). The balance of these two elements identifies
whether the scheme will be sustainable in the medium to long term.
Costs are broken down into three areas:
• Capital Expenditure – Fixed elements irrespective of size and design. These include
scheme design (SPA, Contracts, etc), media campaign, streetworks.
• Revenue Expenditure – Fixed elements irrespective of size and design. These include
enforcement software maintenance, printing, Adjudication Service, DVLA tracing
charges.
• Revenue Expenditure – Variable elements depending upon the size and design. These
include Notice Processing and Parking Attendant costs.
The Capital set up costs, which included all Capital Expenditure and most fixed elements of
Revenue Expenditure, was £266,266, which was a direct cost to the council. The initial set up
costs of the Service was derived from capital resources allocated through the Local Transport
Plan.
The actual set up costs exceeded the budgeted estimate of £218,000 as the council had to
make further amendments to statutory documentation and materials during March 2008 in line
with new legislation which came into force on the 31 March 2008.
Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 introduced Civil Parking Enforcement that is
designed to create a more reasonable transparent and proportionate system of parking
enforcement that is applied consistently across the country.
The main changes between Decriminalised Parking Enforcement and Civil Parking
Enforcement (CPE) are detailed on the Council website www.gateshead.gov.uk .
The success of CPE depends on the dedication and quality of the staff that deliver it. It is
essential to give staff at all levels the skills and training to do their jobs effectively if the
service is to command public confidence and respect. Prior to commencing enforcement in
July 2007, all staff involved in the enforcement and Notice Processing of parking
contraventions undertook training and attained the BTEC Level 2 Qualification in Parking
Enforcement. During March 2008, all staff in the enforcement and Notice Processing teams
undertook supplementary training in the new powers and implications of the new legislation.
In order to increase efficiency and improve the customer services, the Council also
commissioned an independent parking consultant, Alpha Parking, to carry out a ‘health check’
of its parking operation in the run-up to the Council assuming the new powers. Some
comments from the report:
‘’First impressions of the Gateshead parking operation are very good. The overall structure is
small but designed to provide a first class service and it is particularly impressive to see the
important aspects of traffic orders and blue badges brought under the parking section
umbrella. In our view, every local authority parking operation should be set up on similar lines.
17
Individuals within the parking team appear well motivated and prepared for the
implementation of TMA.’’
‘’Gateshead are to be commended in bring the administration of the Blue Badge scheme
under the Parking Service where there is synergy with operation and enforcement. This is a
positive initiative, which other authorities could learn from.’’
4.1 Parking Services Revenue Budget
In accordance with the legislation, this does not include P&D Income from Car Parks.
Table 1 gives a breakdown of the Parking Budgets and year end outtun.
Table 1: Parking Account (02 July 2007 - 31 March 2008)

pursuant to s.55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended)
ITEM £
Income
Penalty Charges (On-street
Contraventions) 157,319
Penalty Charges (Off-street
Contraventions) 111,222
Pay & Display / Meters (On-street only) 55,180
(Inclusive of £15k contribution from
Residents' & Visitors' Permits 22,902 NHS Trust)
Other non-PCN income 6,122
Total Income 352,745
Expenditure
£5,719 funded from Capital budget
NPAS (now TPT) 0 this period*
TEC (Northampton CC) 0
DPE Salary Costs 303,255
PA Uniforms, Hand-held Computers,
Printers 18,700
Transportation 11,466
Security/Cash Collection (Private
Contractor) 28,370
£437 funded from Capital budget
DVLA 0 this period*
Total expenditure 361,791
Surplus / (Deficit) -9,046

18
* To assist the financial management of the service in the initial 9 month period of
operation, these costs were derived from capital resources allocated through the Local
Transport Plan. In future, TPT and DVLA cost will be charged to the Parking Revenue
Account.
The deficit of £9,046 was funded from other Council parking revenue resources.
19
5.0 STATISTICAL PERFORMANCE (02 July 2007 – 31 March 2008)
5.1 Off Street Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
A total of 3,687 PCN’s were issued within Gateshead Council managed car parks in the
period 02 July 2007 – 31 March 2008)
In the first three months of operation, staff undertaking the parking enforcement operation
were not fully resourced. The Council were committed to ensuring that we delivered a much
more visible parking enforcement deterrent on-street than was previously offered by the
Police. As such, when developing the initial deployment strategy we allocated less priority to
the car parks.
Appendix A gives the month by month breakdown of PCN’s issued in Off-street locations.
Appendix B gives a full car park by car park breakdown.
Appendix C provides information about the reasons for the issue of a PCN.
5.2 On Street Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs)
A total of 5,364 PCN’s were issued in the period 02 July 2007 – 31 March 2008) in respect of
on-street offences.
Similar to the Off-street situation, but possibly for different reasons, the graph in appendix D
shows a marked increase in the number of PCN’s issued from October 2007. Whilst the
reduced number of enforcement officers in the first few months was a contributory factor, the
levels of parking compliance in certain areas did fluctuate considerably once effective
enforcement action was carried out. It took 3 months to develop an effective deployment
strategy that ensured that those areas that experience the greatest levels of abuse were
monitored efficiently.
Close to 40% of the PCNs concerned the contravention of waiting or loading restrictions
Appendix D gives the month by month breakdown of PCN’s issued in on-street locations.
Appendix E provides information about the reasons for the issue of a PCN.
5.3 Cancellations
11% of all issued PCN’s were cancelled in the period 02 July 2007 – 31 March 2008). Of
these, the single biggest reason for cancellation was that a valid pay and display ticket had
been produced where the one in the vehicle could not be clearly seen.
Appendix F gives an absolute month by month breakdown of PCN’s cancelled.
20
Appendix G gives a breakdown of PCN’s cancelled, shown as a percentage of the PCNs
issued, per month.
5.4 Payment Stage
The Parking Services Procedures Document referred to in paragraph 3.1 above provides an
overview of parking penalty enforcement from the issue of a PCN to closing the case. This
explains the various stages involved in the Notice Processing and its impact on the penalty
charge amount.
Due to the limited time that the service has been operating and the legislative timeline that
must be followed when processing a penalty charge, this information is of limited benefit. It
does give an indication however of the number of PCN’s that are paid at the Discounted Rate
(50%) and it will be interesting to see if this trend continues in future years.
Appendix H gives a graphical representation of PCN payments by stage.
5.5 Challenges, Representations and Appeals
A Challenge is an informal objection to the Council about the issue of a PCN received before
the issue of the Notice to Owner (formal notice of the debt). A Representation is a formal
challenge (after the issue of the Notice to Owner) in accordance with the 1991 Road Traffic
Act to the issue of a PCN. Only when a Representation is rejected may a motorist appeal to
the National Parking Adjudication Service (now the Traffic Penalty Tribunal) for an
independent decision. The grounds upon which a Representation may be made are limited
by law but any Representations or Challenges that are received will be considered fully,
reasonably and in accordance with the Council’s appeal protocols.
Of the 9,051 PCNs issued for parking contraventions in On-street and Off-street locations in
Gateshead during 02 July 2007 – 31 March 2008, only 8 had reached the point of an appeal
before NPAS by the 31 March 2008.
4 of the appeals were dismissed by NPAS, with the adjudicator deciding in favour of the
Council.
The Council chose not to contest 3 of the cases, as further evidence was presented to NPAS
that was not available at the time that the appellant’s Representation was considered by the
Council. If this information had been submitted with the Representation, it is likely that the
Council would have cancelled the PCN at that stage.
NPAS allowed 1 of the appeal, with the adjudicator deciding in favour of the appellant.
21
6.0 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (02 July 2007 – 31 March 2008)
The indicators of success should be based on measurements of the effectiveness of

enforcement as a deterrent and the efficiency and the application of the processes.
Due to the limited time that the service has been operational however and bearing in mind
that both the enforcement and Notice Processing teams were not fully resourced until the end
of January 2008, the only measure of performance available is the number of PCNs issued by
PA shift. This information is indicated in the table and graph below.
PA Shifts available PCN Issue per

PCNs in that week PA Shift
Week Commencing Monday 2-Jul-07 8-Jul-07 62 42 1.5
Week Commencing Monday 30-Jul-07 5-Aug-07 66 45 1.5
Week Commencing Monday 6-Aug-07 12-Aug-07 53 36 1.5
Week Commencing Monday 27-Aug-07 2-Sep-07 127 26 4.9
Week Commencing Monday 3-Sep-07 9-Sep-07 155 36 4.3
Week Commencing Monday 1-Oct-07 7-Oct-07 183 33 5.5
Week Commencing Monday 29-Oct-07 4-Nov-07 344 62 5.5
Week Commencing Monday 5-Nov-07 11-Nov-07 326 61 5.3
Week Commencing Monday 26-Nov-07 2-Dec-07 320 50 6.4
Week Commencing Monday 3-Dec-07 9-Dec-07 333 54 6.2
Week Commencing Monday 31-Dec-07 6-Jan-08 219 37 5.9
Week Commencing Monday 7-Jan-08 13-Jan-08 280 51 5.5
Week Commencing Monday 28-Jan-08 3-Feb-08 308 56 5.5
Week Commencing Monday 4-Feb-08 10-Feb-08 394 53 7.4
Week Commencing Monday 25-Feb-08 02-Mar-08 380 65 5.8
Week Commencing Monday 03-Mar-08 09-Mar-08 393 59 6.7
Week Commencing Monday 10-Mar-08 16-Mar-08 272 53.5 5.1
Week Commencing Monday 17-Mar-08 23-Mar-08 319 52.5 6.1
Week Commencing Monday 24-Mar-08 30-Mar-08 353 54 6.5
22
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
06/0 9.0
8/
13/0 2007
8/20
20/0 07
8
27/0 /2007
8/
03/0 2007
9/
10/0 2007
9/
17/0 2007
9/20
24/0 07
9
01/1 /2007
0/
08/1 2007
0/20
15/1 07
0/
22/1 2007
0/
29/1 2007
0/20
05/1 07
1/
12/1 2007
1/
19/1 2007
1/20
26/1 07
1
23
03/1 /2007
2/20
Average PCN Issue by PA/Shift per Week
10/1 07
2/
17/1 2007
2/
24/1 2007
2/
31/1 2007
2/
07/0 2007
1/20
14/0 08
1/
21/0 2008
1/20
28/0 08
1/
Dates below are week commencing dates (initial weeks are warning notices only)
04/0 2008
2/
11/0 2008
2
18/0 /2008
2/
25/0 2008
2/20
03/0 08
3/
10/0 2008
3/
17/0 2008
3/20
24/0 08
3/20
08
This page is intentionally left blank
24
Appendix A – PCNs issued in the Council’s car parks
PCNs issued in the Council's car parks
700
587
600 565 555
525
491 492
500
400
334
300
200
133
100
0
A ugust September Octo ber No vember December January February M arch
25
26
Appendix B – PCNs issued by car park
Car Park PCNs issued

Back Walker Terrace 50
Baltic 665
BirtleySwimming Pool 3
Church Street 179
Coach Park (The Sage
Gateshead) 19
Computer House 6
Felling Metro 66
Fewster Square (Meresyde) 5
Garden Street 20
Gateshead Leisure Centre 140
Heworth Metro North 284
Heworth Metro South 215
Mill Road 639
Multi Storey (West Street) 102
Pipewellgate 21
Prince Consort Road 159
Regent Court 265
South Shore Road 131
Swinburne Street 390
The Sage Gateshead 129
Town Hall 319
27
28
Appendix C – PCNs issued in the Council’s car parks by contravention
Contravention code and description Number of PCNs

70 - Parked in loading area 2
81 - Parked in restricted area 1
82 - Overstay ticket expiry 999
83 - No valid ticket displayed 1698
84 - Making additional payment 1
85 - In permit section without permit 387
86 - Parked outside marked bay 427
87 - In disabled bay without badge 130
89 - Exceeding height/weight limit 2
91 - Wrong class of vehicle 41
29
30
Appendix D – On-street PCNs issued by month
On-street PCNs issued by month
1000
924
900 861
823
785
800 765
700 650
600
500 463
400
300
193
200
100
0
A ugust September Octo ber No vember December January February M arch
31
32
Appendix E – PCNs issued “on street” by contravention
Contravention code and description Number of PCNs

01 - Yellow Lines 2161
02 - Loading/Unloading 14
05 - Expired Pay & Display ticket 150
06 - No valid ticket on display 490
09 - Displaying multiple tickets 1
15 - Residents parking 28
16 - Parking in permit space 1208
20 - In loading gap 14
21 - In suspended bay 1
22 - Returning within time 1
23 - Wrong class of vehicle 685
24 - Incorrectly parked 39
25 - Parking in loading bay 72
30 - Parked longer than permitted 65
35 - Parked in disc space 14
40 - In disabled bay without badge 453
45 - Parked in taxi rank 57
47 - Parked in bus stop 151
33
34
Appendix F – PCNs cancelled by month
Cancellations by month
(This refers to the month the PCN was issued)
250
204
200
175
167
150 143
124
97
100
68
50
19
0
August Sept ember Oct ober November December January February M arch
35
36
Appendix G – PCN’s cancelled as a percentage of the number issued
Cancellations as a percentage of those issued

(by month of issue)
16.0
14.7
14.4 14.4
14.0
12.0
10.5
10.0 9.5
8.7
7.6
8.0
6.0 5.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
37
38
Appendix H – PCNs paid by stage
PCNs paid by stage
26%
Paid at discount stage (-50%)

Paid at full charge
Paid after Charge Certificate (+50%)
4% 56% Not yet paid
14%
39

Parking Enforcement Annual Report 2007/08: Gateshead Council

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Parking Enforcement Annual Report 2007/08: Gateshead Council

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Gateshead Council

This report provides details of Gateshead Council’s parking enforcement arrangements

1.0 PARKING CONTROL OBJECTIVES p4

2.0 GATESHEAD PARKING PROFILE p6

3.0 PARKING ENFORCEMENT p14

4.0 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE p17

5.0 STATISTICAL PERFORMANCE p20

6.0 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS p22

The main advantages of local authority enforcement of regulations are as follows:

• Effective implementation of parking policies seeking improved traffic flow, better

• Better monitoring of the effectiveness and value of regulations

1.2 Policy Context

The Council’s parking control objectives are to:

Parking operations will contribute towards these objectives by providing:

Such operations will embrace the following activities:

2.1 Car Parks

• Back Durham Road Car Park, Birtley

• Back Harraton Terrace Car Park, Birtley

• Back Walker Terrace/Back Regent Terrace Car Park, Gateshead

• Baltic Car Park, Gateshead

• Blaydon Shopping Precinct Car Park, Blaydon

• Church Street Car Park, Gateshead

• Claremont Street Car Park, Gateshead

• Coach Park, Gateshead

• Computer House, High Street, Gateshead

• Cromwell Place Car Park, Winlaton

• Cross Keys Lane Car Park, Low Fell

• Felling Shopping Precinct – Victoria Square Car Park, Felling

• Fewster Square – Meresyde Car Park, Leam Lane

• Fewster Square – Whinbrooke Car Park, Leam Lane

• Garden Street Car Park, Gateshead

• Gateshead Leisure Centre Car Park, Gateshead

• Heworth North Car Park, Heworth

• Heworth South Car Park, Heworth

• High Street Car Park, Felling

• Hilda House Car Park, Gateshead

• Lowery’s Lane Car Park, Low Fell

• Mill Road Car Park, Gateshead

• Pipewellgate Car Park, Gateshead

• Prince Consort Road Car Park, Gateshead

• Ravensworth Road Car Park, Dunston

• Regent Court Car Park, Gateshead

• Ryton RFC Car Park, Ryton

• South Shore Road Car Park, Gateshead

• St Bede’s Drive Car Park, Gateshead

• Sunderland Road Car Park, Gateshead

• Swalwell Bank Car Park, Swalwell

• Swinburne Street Car Park, Gateshead

• Town Hall Car Park, Gateshead

• Whickham Shopping Precinct Car Park (West), Whickham -

• Winlaton Central Car Park, Winlaton

• Wrekenton Centre Car Park, Wrekenton

2.1.1 The Safer Parking Scheme

• Baltic Car Park, Gateshead Quays

• Civic Centre Car Park, Gateshead

There are 103km of waiting restriction in the authority’s area

• High Street, Gateshead – operating 08:30 – 17:30 Monday to Saturday

• Durham Road, Low Fell

• Warwick Street, Gateshead

• Zone A – Church Chare, Whickham

Hours of operation = All day, every day

• Zone B – Duckpool Lane, Whickham