British traffic wardens ordered to give 10 minute reprieve to over-stayers

Motorists in England have won a major battle that will save them millions of dollars a year in parking fines.

Over-zealous traffic wardens have for years been slapping penalty tickets on cars, even if they are a second or two over the limit.

Now the government has decreed that motorists will be given 10 minutes over the time limit before a ticket can be given.

It is seen as a victory for motorists and motoring organizations who have long complained that parking fines were fast becoming an income stream for cash-strapped local councils across the country.

One of the leading motoring organizations, the RAC Foundation, said that in the past year local councils in England made a combined surplus of more than 66 million pounds (or 1 billion U.S. dollars) from parking charges and penalties.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has also championed the cause of motorists caught on the cctv cameras of council-run so-called spy cars that photograph cars in restricted areas, and post penalty tickets to the homes of the registered vehicle owner. That practice is also going to be banned.

Pickles said he wanted to end what was seen by many as a "war on drivers," adding, "for too long parking rules have made law-abiding motorists feel like criminals, and caused enormous damage to shops and businesses."

He said: "Over-zealous parking enforcement undermines our town centers and costs councils more in the long term. Our measures not only bring big benefits for high streets, motorists and local authorities, they put common sense back into parking."

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "These measures will deliver a fairer deal for motorists and help boost the high street business by ensuring that parking enforcement is proportionate, while also protecting school children and keeping key routes and bus lanes clear."

Other measures protecting drivers include new powers for parking adjudicators so they can hold councils to account to tackle parking problems such as poor signage at specific locations.

Another powerful new right enables residents and local firms to demand their council review parking in their area, including the charges and use of yellow lines.

There will also be tougher rules against heavy-handed action by bailiffs, and an end to fines at out-of-order parking meters when there is no alternative way to pay. Guidance will also reinforce that councils cannot use parking to make a profit.

Edmund King, president of the Automobile Association, said it was counter-productive to have parking attendants "hiding in doorways to issue tickets the minute a ticket runs out, as this deters drivers from shopping in the high street."

Although there was broad welcome for the measure, the Local Government Association criticized the measures.

Spokesman David Sparks said: "Councils know parking restrictions cannot be used to make a profit, but are there to stop chaos on our roads. We are concerned that government has rushed through today's announcement and failed to fully consult councils on the detail of the regulation." Endit