Last week I reported that the introduction of resident parking schemes in the village has had a significant impact on the issuing of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
In November 2012 residents parking schemes were introduced on Clifton Street, Carlisle Street, Lydiat Lane, Thurston Green, Beech Cottages and Netherfields - to stop all day and all night parking and help residents park close to their homes.
I obtained figures via a Freedom of Information Request (FOI) which showed that from November 2012 to the end of July 2013:
- 28.7% more PCNs were issued compared to the previous 9-month period.
- 45% of all tickets issued have been on the six streets where the new parking restrictions were introduced.
- Nearly 35% of all tickets issued in Alderley Edge have been on Clifton Street alone.
In analysing the figures, see article 'One street accounts for 35% of parking tickets issued' I realised I should also have requested a breakdown by street for the 9-month period prior to the introduction of residents parking schemes in my FOI request, so we could see more clearly the impact the schemes have had on the issuing of parking tickets.
The information has now been provided by Cheshire East Council which shows that in the 9 months prior to the introduction of residents parking (from February 2012 to October 2012):
- A total of 9 tickets were issued on Clifton Street, Carlisle Street, Lydiat Lane, Thurston Green, Beech Cottages and Netherfields.
- One was issued on Lydiat Lane in September 2012.
- The other 8 were issued on Clifton Street with one each issued in January, July, August and September and 4 in October 2012.
Then in November 2012 when the resident's parking was introduced this figure leapt to 96 tickets for the 6 streets, 64 of which were issued on Clifton Street alone (my previous FOI said 61 for this month so I acknowledge some discrepancy which I have questioned).
Comparing the 9 months prior to the schemes being introduced with the 9 months since, the number of PCN's issued has increased from 9 to 633 for these six streets.
Income generated from these 6 streets has increased from £350, from February 2012 to October 2012, to £21,777 from November 2012 to July 2013.
Looking at Clifton Street alone the number of tickets issued during a 9-month period has increased from 8 to 484 and generated £17,122 since November.
Comments
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The result was the whole street was used from morning until night by shop and office workers
With the lines around the parking bays being white, and the signs looking like the normal 'one hour waiting' (although they do advise 'Permit parking') it is easy to assume, and mistake, this area for normal parking.
Equally, if Cheshire East Council wants its Council Tax, it is up to it to ensure that places such as Alderley have adequate parking for the current need.
Obviously I don't sit reading the highway code, much like you don't sit reading things I know about that you don't know about, that probably affect your life, and you should know. Signs are supposed to be clear, and not ambiguous. Signs are supposed to help people, not trick them. It would be interesting to see if any of this other 6222% of people were also tricked by the new signs in Alderley, and then we can all have our money back with interest, and money for the time we put into challenging the unfair parking tickets. I have held a clean driving licence since I passed my driving test when I was 17. I am now 49. I do not get parking tickets, and consider myself a safe and considerate driver.