Government Bill set to enlarge remit of parking attendants

Presented to the House of Commons on 5 January, proposals in the Traffic Management Bill include decriminalizing a number of minor traffic offences therefore enabling Local Authorities who operate DPE to enforce compliance. Offences such as entering a yellow box junction when exit is blocked; disobeying a no right/left turn sign and taking a prohibited vehicle into a restricted area, are all highlighted as roles which Local Authorities would be more than capable of handling; giving more time to the Police to handle harder criminal matters whilst Local Authorities will benefit from the powers to help their Local Transport Plans perform to the best of their ability.

Although in essence extending the powers already opened up to London Boroughs in last years London Local Authorities & Transport for London Act, whereby city councils can take on these powers (and indeed will begin piloting various schemes in April), the national press was quick to brand the move yet another tax on motorists.

The BPA will be keeping in close contact with the Department for Transport and the Government whilst the Bill progresses through Parliament so as to learn more about the Bill as details emerge.