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Westminster warfare
Page 20
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Westminster Council has finally admitted that its bonus scheme for traffic wardens is causing more problems than it solves. Are operators finally winning the war on parking fines? Jennifer Ball reports.
The days of an over-zealous traffic warden slapping a ticket on a truck two minutes after it stops to deliver could he numbered. National Car Parks (NCP) has bowed to pressure from operators and abolished its "Champion's League" incentive scheme which rewarded traffic wardens for the number of tickets issued in Westminster.
Operators in London have seen a 78% rise in the number of parking tickets in the past year, costing the industry over £50m. But from October parking attendants will be judged on the quality, not quantity. of their performance: for example, the number of successful appeals against tickets they have issued.
Westminster Council's cabinet member for transport, Colin Barrow, admits that its original scheme had attracted controversy because it awarded a trophy to the attendant who issued the most tickets with prizes like coffee machines for"productivity".
He says the move shows the council is willing to listen to criticism of its parking service: "This is a tangible sign that we are changing the way we run the service and are committed to getting it right."
Reassurance, please
But operators will want reassurance that this means an end to spurious fines and a start to more flexibility from parking attendants. The Freight Transport Association warns that the new system must recognise delivery vehicles and ensure that those delivering legally are not unfairly targeted. A spokeswoman says:"Codes of Practice, agreed with the industry. must be transparent and adhered to at all times. Unfortunately this hasn't been the case in the past and has led to a breakdown in trust between some councils and the transport industry."
Ray Dickson, managing director at Croydon-based F Dickson Transport, adds: -The level of stupid tickets being awarded is higher in Westminster than anywhere else. I wouldn't have been surprised if a warden had slapped a ticket on an ambulance or a police car. It's about time that common sense prevailed."
His company is averaging £200£300 in fines each week, but he has taken on the traffic wardens by sending councils a £50 bill for administration costs. You can't blame him for fighting back: three of the firms trucks were ticketed for reversing too slowly down the Mall.
Fact Ide Penalty charge notices
Between April 2002 and March 2003 4,929,692 penalty charge notices were issued in the caOtal (excluding those for bus lanes).
putting out crowd barriers before US President George Bush's visit to London (CM 20November 2003).
TNT victory
TNT has also won concessions that will slash its annual £300.000 parking fine bill within the M25. Westminster and Camden councils agreed to move their Monday-Saturday ban on deliveries from 8.30am-10pm to I lam-10pm and accepted that a delivery note can be used as evidence when appealing against a ticket (CM 22 July).
Operations director Nigel Barton welcomes the fact that parking attendants"arenolongerincentivised". TNT is working with both councils on a training video for traffic attendants and drivers to promote a better understanding and ensure that the existing CV parking regs are enforced correctly. •