06/03/2015

Drivers Get 10 Minute Grace Period When Parked In A Bay

The government has introduced new laws to help local shops which allows drivers a 10 minute grace period when parked in a bay.

The law will prevent fines for being just a few minutes late back to the vehicle.

Other measures protecting drivers include new powers for parking adjudicators so they can hold councils to account to tackle parking problems such as poor signage at specific locations.

There will also be tougher rules against heavy-handed action by bailiffs and an end to fines at out-of-order parking meters when there is no alternative way to pay.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "We are ending the war on drivers who simply want to go about their daily business. For too long parking rules have made law-abiding motorists feel like criminals, and caused enormous damage to shops and businesses.

"Over-zealous parking enforcement undermines our town centres and costs councils more in the long-term. Our measures not only bring big benefits for high streets, motorists and local authorities – they put common sense back into parking."

(CD/JP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 September 2014
7-Year-Old Shot In Head In East Sussex
A 7-year-old girl is "gravely ill" in King's College Hospital after being shot in the head. Police said the girl was found at a house in Northiam, East Sussex, suffering a gunshot wound to the head at about 16:00 on Thursday.
09 August 2013
Woman Dies After Being Hit By A Lorry On M3
A woman has been killed while walking along the side of a motorway in Surrey. The woman, who has not yet been named, was struck by a lorry just after midnight on the M3 at Lightwater, near junction three. She was pronounced dead at the scene. It is understood that police found a vehicle parked nearby, which is thought to have belonged to the woman.
01 October 2008
Police Appeal After Man Killed In Crash
Police are appealing for information following the death of a 21-year-old man after a collision in Brynteg, Wrexham, Wales, last night. The man was killed after his van had collided with three parked vehicles and overturned just after 11.30pm. North Wales Police officers attended the scene following reports of the crash on Long Lane, Brynteg.
23 June 2006
Man arrested after revealing bodies to police
A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after turning up at a police station and revealing the location of two bodies. The man walked in to Luton police station around 4am on Friday morning and revealed that a woman's body was in a van parked outside and a man's body was at an address in Aylesbury.
21 November 2014
Mini Cooper Left Parked On Tramline 'Lifted' Out Of The Way
A Mini Cooper left parked on double-yellow lines and blocking a tramline, had to be "lifted" out of the way after a 20 minute "stand-off". It is understood the car was parked blocking tramlines near Nottingham Trent University for more than 20 minutes.