Westminster parking bosses slash HGV parking tickets (23/05/2008)

Parking bosses have slashed by almost 50 per cent the number of tickets they have issued to lorry drivers and heavy goods vehicles in central London. New rules for delivery vehicles in Westminster have seen a sharp drop in the number of tickets handed out to HGVs from 4,700 in the first three months of last year to 2,450 in the same period of 2008. The fall in parking fines comes after Westminster City Council made it easier for lorries to complete their delivers in the city.

Under the new system, the loading time on single and double yellow lines has increased from 20 minutes to 40 minutes between the hours of 11am and 6.30pm.

Previously, Westminster businesses such as bars and restaurants - many of which do not open until after 11am - had difficulties with delivery lorries completing their work within the set 20 minute time limit.

But this time extension has now allowed them more flexibility when determining delivery times and routes.

The change came after the council's Parking Team conducted six months of research into loading arrangements and even went out with lorries to experience delivery runs for themselves.

They found the amount of allocated space for unloading was generally sufficient but the time allocated was not.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Danny Chalkley, said:

"These new rules have been extremely successful for lorry and larger van drivers whilst ensuring that the city's traffic isn't adversely affected and keeps on flowing.

"Giving drivers an extra 20 minutes has made all the difference between finishing their delivery in an adequate amount of time and getting a ticket.

“I'm sure the time extension will continue to be a success with local businesses and help delivery companies to keep their costs down.”

The Freight Transport Association's Head of Policy for London, Gordon Telling, said

“PCNs received when deliveries were being made legally but took longer than 20 minutes were some of the most contentious for commercial vehicle operators.

"However, FTA worked closely with Westminster City Council to tackle this particular problem and feedback from operators speaks for itself. Some FTA members whose deliveries take longer than 20 minutes have reported a 75 per cent reduction in the PCNs they have received from Westminster since the trial started – a fantastic result.

"The changes don’t benefit all operators, but they have made a big difference to commercial operators as a whole."

The new trial rules apply to vehicles whose maximum weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes. Other vehicles - including the vast majority of delivery vans - still have to complete their deliveries in 20 minutes. This decision follows research showing the average time it took for a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) to unload was anywhere between 23 and 42 minutes.

All delivery vehicles are still able to load and unload for an unlimited time between 6.30pm and 11am.

The trial is due continue until June, when the council will decide if the change should be made permanent.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

4700 PCNs were issued to HGVs for stopping on yellow lines where loading is not allowed between January and March 2007. Under the pilot 2450 PCNs were issued for the same period in 2008. This is a reduction of 2250 PCNs or 48 per cent.

Earlier in the year the council introduced five ‘Common Sense’ parking measures to make it more convenient for motorists in the heart of the capital. These include:

* A five minute allowance for resident permit holders to load or unload on single yellow lines. This has seen a reduction by 40 per cent in the number of tickets issued to residents.

* Allowing white disabled badge holders a month to renew their expired permits. Some white badge holders have experienced difficulties renewing their badges in time as they may need assistance with filling out an application or need to provide additional information.

* The introduction of a suspensions hotline, enabling customers to report out of date suspensions, damaged signs, incorrect signs or instances when a suspension sign is in place but no activity is being carried out.

* No fines will be issued to resident permit holders who park in suspended bays in their own zone for the first two days of a suspension. Motorists are not always aware that a suspension has been put in place and the council will try and contact the resident by phone to ask them to move their car. A ticket will only be issued as a last resort after the second day and the vehicle removed to a car pound if there is no possibility to relocate it nearby.

* 'Return to Service' stickers will also be sent to residents who have booked a suspension for a domestic move. Once the suspension sign is no longer needed, they can stick them onto the suspension signs, meaning the bays can be returned to use as soon as possible, minimising any disruption.

Described by the Evening Standard as “essential reading for Londoners”, the Council has recently updated it’s acclaimed free “Park Right" booklet, a guide full of parking advice for motorists including an A-Z map of central London and launched an online parking information film. http://www.westminster.gov.uk/transportandstreets/parking/about/parkright.cfm