North Ayrshire Council has taken over the job of parking enforcement across the area - but with no fines being imposed until mid-April, it's not clear that the message has sunk in quite yet.

The local authority took on the power of enforcing the area's parking regulations from Police Scotland on Thursday, March 28.

But up to and including Sunday, April 14, warning notices will be issued by NAC's team of 'enforcement officers', instead of fines, with the council hoping the 'soft launch' approach will "educate and inform" drivers who are parked illegally.

And it didn't take our photographer Charlie Gilmour long to spot plenty of vehicles parked on double yellow lines and on pavements, in Saltcoats at least, on the first day of the new regime

How many motorists did so deliberately, in the knowledge that the police no longer have the power to dish out a fine and the council doesn't intend to until April 15, isn't clear.

 

 

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Ardrossan Road, Saltcoats

Once the new regime takes effect in full, though, drivers who break any of the rules on parking will be hit with a PCN of £100 - reduced to £50 if it's paid within 14 days.

Common sins which will earn the offender a ticket include parking on double yellow lines, parking in a disabled space without a blue badge, staying in a parking space for longer than allowed, and parking in a bus stop or taxi rank.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Hamilton Street, Saltcoats

On the thorny issue of pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs, councils across Scotland now have the power to issue penalty charges.

However, the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 also gives councils the power to make some footways exempt from the pavement parking ban, in certain circumstances.

Parking on a pavement will not be considered an offence if the layout or character of the footway would allow for a width of 1.5 metres to remain unobstructed when any part of a vehicle is parked on it.

Exemptions will also be allowed if the layout or character of the pavement and carriageway is such that the passage of an emergency vehicle would be impeded by a vehicle parked on the road.

In addition, North Ayrshire Council has advised that PCNs won't be issued to drivers on the basis of third-party evidence alone (such as a photograph); an enforcement officer must physically witness a parking rule, or rules, being broken in order for a fine to be handed out.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Chapelwell Street, Saltcoats

The enforcement officers will be on duty between 7.30am and 10pm every day of the week.

Councillor Tony Gurney, NAC's 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 penalty charge notices 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.”

For more information on parking enforcement see north-ayrshire.gov.uk/parking.