Parking Enforcement Vehicle to begin its patrols near RCT schools

RCT Council’s new Parking Enforcement Vehicle will begin its patrols across Rhondda Cynon Taf next week, to ensure motorists are parking considerately – focusing on safety outside of schools.

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The vehicle will be introduced to coincide with the new school year from Monday, September 3, and will primarily target school pick-up and drop-off periods in the mornings and afternoons. The Council is introducing this measure as a result of concerns raised by parents about dangerous parking.

If vehicles are found to be parked unlawfully, motorists could be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of up to £70. The Parking Enforcement Vehicle will enforce traffic restrictions in three instances. They are for vehicles parked:

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• On yellow Keep Clear markings outside of a school.
• In a bus stop.
• On a pedestrian crossing.

The Council has undertaken a significant awareness-raising exercise since the new measure was announced in June 2018, so residents know exactly what is expected of them when the enforcement vehicle begins its patrols.

This has included flyers sent to all schools before the end of the 2017/18 school year, to be distributed to local parents. Local bus operators have also been informed, while Elected Members were invited to attend a presentation briefing ahead of a recent Full Council meeting.

The Council has also used its social media accounts to communicate about the enforcement vehicle’s introduction and powers. Residents have used these accounts to report areas of the County Borough where they believe parking issues need to be addressed. This information is being considered by the Council’s Parking Enforcement team when devising the vehicle’s route.

In a further effort to ensure residents are fully up-to-date with the vehicle’s introduction, any poor parking behaviour observed in the first two weeks of operation in September will be followed up with a warning letter to the offending motorist. Fines will only be issued from the third week of operation.

The enforcement vehicle will be a visible presence in local communities to deter dangerous parking, and it is hoped that, by creating safer areas within communities, parents and pupils will be encouraged to walk as a healthier, more sustainable method of travelling to school.