Problem Parkers Face Vehicle Removal Over Unpaid Fines

Last year Glasgow recorded over 1800 vehicles with three or more unpaid penalty charges notices for breaching parking rules that support the efficiency of the road network and promote road safety. Multiple unpaid parking fines can also often point to other anti-social behaviour and criminal activity by the drivers involved.

From next month, vehicles with three or more unpaid fines will be instantly flagged to parking attendants when those vehicles are next spotted parking illegally, which will trigger a notification to the city pound to uplift the vehicle.  A £150 release fee will have to paid to recover the vehicle along with the outstanding fines and a £20 daily storage charge.

With recruitment of an additional 35 parking attendants well advanced and a new vehicle removal unit now in place, higher levels of enforcement against problem parkers will be possible.

Councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Transport, said it was vital that drivers complied with the road regulations to help reduce congestion and ensure limited road space is shared as evenly as possible.

Councillor Millar said: "Parking regulations are in place to keep the network moving and protect vulnerable roads users from harm.  The vast majority of people see the sense in sticking to these rules, but there is a selfish minority that believe they can do as they please on the road network.

"Receiving a penalty charge notice should send a clear message on how cars should be parked. But where drivers repeatedly ignore efforts to enforce parking regulations, it should be expected that stiffer action will be taken.

"Parking penalty charges notices are due to rise to £100 in the near future.  Under this new system, anyone who accumulates three more or fines will have to pay several hundred pounds in fines and charges to get their car back on the road.  The best way to avoid this expense is to consider other road users in the first place and park legally."

Penalty Charge Notices for breaches of rules for both parking and bus lanes are in line to rise to £100 in September. The current rate of £60 was set in 2012 and was considered to no longer provide deterrence to non-compliance with the rules. The new £100 fine will be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days and drivers are being urged not to ignore a penalty charge notice.

Between last August and March this year, 13 new parking attendants were recruited which contributed to a 22% increase in penalty charges notices being issued.

Further information is available in a paper on parking services presented to the Environment and Liveable Neighbourhoods City Policy Committee, which is available via this link.