Why use the DPE scheme?
What are the benefits of the DPE scheme?
The DPE scheme aims to tackle the problems associated with poor parking. Parking problems lead to congestion, accidents, car crime, difficulties for emergency vehicles and access problems for refuse collections. The level of police enforcement is restricted by resources. There is an urgent need to make Warrington's streets safer and less congested.
This scheme will result in parking attendants being out there, on the streets, seeing problems and acting to deal with them. Other authorities have observed improvements in the very things which Warrington is striving to improve.
You can expect:
Clearer roads and pavements making it safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Fewer illegally parked cars resulting in fewer accidents, better traffic flow and accessibility.
Improvement in the general environment as sensible and safe parking leads to reductions in congestion, obstruction and air quality.
Greater promotion of public transport, walking and cycling.
That the police will be able to concentrate on other priorities.
How will the scheme assist in reducing crime?
Parking attendants will be patrolling on council car parks and on roads where parking restrictions exist. Their presence will act as a visual deterrent and their irregular patrol patterns should deter crime. Attendants will also be paying particular attention around parked vehicles and can observe anything unusual as well as reporting any incidents and problems to the central control base.
Who will manage the scheme?
The Parking Facilities Unit of the council has this responsibility. Experienced parking contractors are used to help deliver the service but the buck stops with the council who will monitor and control performance. The council has been managing all of the off-street car parks for many years, including enforcement, ticket processing and collection of fines, so the service will simply be extended to include the on-street enforcement responsibility.
Why did the Council decide to use contractors for enforcement?
The contractor has a proven track record in Decriminalised Parking Enforcement. It is sensible to take advantage of this experience rather than expand the in-house parking team. This system provides the Council with flexibility to vary the operation over the contract term and the contractor will use a 'pool' of staff to deal with short-term peaks and troughs should they arise.
Will every Local Authority start doing this in 2007?
No. Many have already done so and are satisfied with the outcome. Many others are preparing or considering whether they should do so. Once responsibility has been transferred to the council it cannot be reversed and handed back to the police as the law does not allow this.
Name some other towns and cities which are using this scheme
Some 150 authorities are now using Decriminalised Enforcement, including all the London Boroughs, Birmingham, Bolton, Bury, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Oldham, Oxford, Reading, Salford, Southampton, Stockport, Trafford, Wigan and Winchester to name just a few. 20 to 30 authorities are currently joining the scheme annually.
Is the scheme being introduced just to make the Council some easy money?
Absolutely not. The aim is to make the streets safer, to reduce congestion and prevent illegal parking as well as promote the use of public transport, walking and cycling. Monies raised pay for the scheme itself.
Government guidance requires that the scheme must be self-financing, so money raised from the parking scheme pays for the parking attendants, the costs of processing fines and so on. If there is any money left from on-street fines after meeting our costs, it may only be spent on transport-related improvements within the Borough. If there are no suitable transport-related projects to contribute towards, any surpluses go towards general council funds so helping to keep the level of council tax down and to benefit everyone living in, working and visiting Warrington.
Only those drivers that break the parking law will have to pay. Law-abiding motorists and pedestrians will see the benefits of less congestion, improved safety and improved traffic flow. This will have a positive impact on the general environment in our town.
In contrast, any money raised from off-street parking enforcement (from both fines and parking payment machines) can be used by the council for general revenue support.
How will the scheme assist in reducing crime?
Parking attendants will be patrolling on council car parks and on roads where parking restrictions exist. Their very presence will act as a visual deterrent and their irregular patrol patterns should deter crime. Attendants will also be paying particular attention around parked vehicles and can see and report any problems.
