North Ayrshire Council’s parking enforcement officers will soon be patrolling parking lots and streets on Arran to enforce parking violations.
The changes to parking enforcement on Arran and across North Ayrshire is due to the decriminalisation of parking violations - transferring parking enforcement responsibilities from Police Scotland to North Ayrshire Council.
These powers will come into effect on Thursday, March 28, when the council’s new team of parking enforcement officers will begin to monitor parking across the area.
Council officials have confirmed that there will be no permanent placements on the island, however, parking enforcement officers will visit to enforce parking violations.
For an initial period, parking enforcement officers will issue warning notices to help educate and inform drivers if they are parked illegally. Drivers receiving a warning notice during this initial period will not be subject to a fine.
However, from Monday, April 15, enforcement officers will start to issue £100 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to vehicles parked in contravention of the parking restrictions. This will be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
If you’re parked illegally – such as on double yellow lines, in a disabled bay without a blue badge or on the pavement – you could receive a PCN.
Parking violations, which could see drivers receiving a £100 PCN, include:
• Parking on a length of yellow line and loading activities were not observed.
• Parking in an electric vehicle charging place during restricted hours without charging.
• Parking in a loading gap marked by a yellow line.
• Parking incorrectly within the bay markings.
• Parking in a loading bay, no loading observed.
• Parking in a disabled parking place without displaying a valid disabled blue badge.
• Parking in a parking place for emergency vehicles.
• Parking in a taxi rank.
• Parking in a bus stop.
• Parking on the pavement.
• Parking a vehicle adjacent to dropped kerbs at a pedestrian crossing point.
• Double parking a vehicle.
• Parking a vehicle on the grass verge where a pavement is adjacent to it.
Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy, said: “We want all drivers and pedestrians to go about their business safely and quickly.
“Illegal parking can a real blight, particularly in our town centres, and we hope the introduction of PCNs can help encourage better and more responsible parking.
“Our advice would be always to park in a safe and legal manner and to take advantage of the many car parks we have across North Ayrshire. Even if it means walking a short distance further, it is not worth the risk of receiving a £100 fine.
“We hope to see lasting benefits for both residents and visitors by improving road safety and easing traffic congestion.”
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