From Monday 12th May 2014 Argyll and Bute Council will be responsible for enforcing parking restrictions across the council area.

By assuming the responsibility for parking enforcement, the council will be able to ensure effective traffic management in our town centres.

This move is as a result of the police no longer employing traffic wardens.

Effective traffic management has a number of benefits, including supporting our local economy by ensuring parking turnover – helping our town centres remain vibrant.

Local enforcement will also safeguard access for Blue Badge holders, for deliveries, for loading and for emergency vehicles as well as ensuring road safety by managing inconsiderate and irresponsible parking.

Local enforcement will keep Argyll and Bute moving.

The council will be employing six new amenity wardens to work alongside our current wardens to deliver parking enforcement across the council area.

They will patrol all areas of Argyll and Bute where parking restrictions are in force. These include, but are not limited to, areas with yellow lines, pay and display bays, loading and unloading areas, disabled bays, limited waiting areas and off-street parking areas.

Their role is matched to issues we know matter to our communities. As well as ensuring effective traffic management the wardens will also address issues of dog fouling and littering.

Policy Lead for Roads and Amenity Services, Councillor Ellen Morton, said: ‘’I am pleased to see the council now assuming this responsibility. Parking is a big issue in our towns – it is maddening to see the same cars parked on the street for hours on end denying easy access for customers to local businesses.

‘’With these new powers we will be able to keep Argyll and Bute moving.

‘’We hope  people  will work with us to keep our town centres busy and presentable – if you park legally you won’t be fined. If you clear up after you dog, you won’t be fined. If you bin your litter, you won’t be fined.’’

From the go-live date first-time offenders will be issued with a warning notice rather than a penalty charge notice (PCN).

If vehicles park illegally following one of these warning notices, they are likely to receive a penalty charge notice.

Following this two week period (from Monday 26th May), all vehicles caught parking illegally will be issued with a PCN.

In line with national guidelines, the PCN is set at £60, to be paid within 28 days. If paid within 14 days, the charge is reduced to £30. If unpaid, the charge increases to £90. Unpaid PCNs could result in the council instructing sheriff officers to pursue recovery of the debt, which may incur additional costs.

If you receive a PCN, to avoid the debt increasing, it is best to pay early.

Penalty charges can be paid through the ‘pay it’ function on the council website, over the phone to our customer service centre, in person at any of our customer service points or via paypoint at a local shop.

For further information go to www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/parking