Wokingham Parking – Civil Parking Enforcement Update
Wokingham Parking
Parking – Preparations are going well for Wokingham Borough Council’s plans to introduce civil parking enforcement (CPE) across the borough this autumn.
The borough council hopes to apply to the Department of Transport (DfT) for the new CPE powers this spring.
For the past few months the council has been mapping the Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) as well as updating and improving existing parking signs and road markings across the borough.
Public consultation
Public consultation is planned in the next few months on the mapped TROs currently being prepared. The council will also put the contract out to tender to run CPE in the Wokingham Borough.
“Applying for CPE powers is complex and involves an Act of Parliament,” said Cllr Malcolm Richards, executive member for highways and transport.
“But if the DfT approves our CPE application it will give us the muscle to tackle congestion and improve road safety and parking fairness for everyone.
“We’ll let you know more about how to take part in the public consultation nearer the time, and we hope as many of you as possible will take part.”
CPE powers would enable the borough council to take over the police’s role to legally enforce parking breaches. This covers double and single yellow lines, loading restrictions, double parking or parking across dropped kerbs, parking in a residents’ parking zone without a permit, and overstaying in time-limited bays.
Residents & Businesses
“We’d be able to tackle parking hotspots causing problems for residents and businesses,” said Cllr Richards, “and preventing parked cars from obstructing roads and pavements will also make things safer for pedestrians and drivers.
“CPE would also help make better use of off-street parking locations, and we will be reviewing many of the current parking restrictions including requests for new ones once the scheme has bedded in.”
Many local people and businesses already think Wokingham Borough Council has CPE powers and support the move.
Thames Valley Police
Thames Valley Police currently has parking enforcement responsibility on streets in the Wokingham Borough, but supports the council’s bid to take over this role and bring the borough in line with other Thames Valley councils.
