Nottingham Express Transit have extended parking enforcement action to two further park and ride sites after the successful implementation at The Forest. Both Toton Lane and Wilkinson Street will now see similar action take place in a bid to ensure there is compliance with the parking regulations at these sites.
Since the campaign was launched at The Forest, more than 200 motorists have been clamped for parking outside marked bays, misusing disabled spaces, parking their car without buying a valid NET ticket or having a valid pass for the travel on the tram.
This approach has seen a significant reduction in the number of vehicles taking up more than one space, parking on pavement or in areas they aren’t authorised to do so. Its helped to free up spaces for other tram users and the hope is that similar action at Toton Lane and Wilkinson Street will have the same results.
Trevor Stocker, NET’s Head of Operations, said: “The initiative has been well received by the vast majority of park and ride users, who recognise that the behaviour of a small minority makes life more difficult for everyone else, particularly those with restricted mobility.
“In response to the feedback from customers, our enforcement action has been introduced at two other sites where we receive reports of drivers leaving their cars when they are not using the tram or, in the case of Wilkinson Street Park and Ride, the Medilink buses. Motorists parked outside bays, encroaching on other spaces or using disabled spaces without a Blue Badge will also be targeted.
“Signage has been installed to inform people of the byelaws regulating the facilities, and to highlight that unlawful parking could result in their cars being clamped, for which they will have to pay a £140 fee for it to be released. Alternatively, motorists could receive a charge of £200 if the vehicle needs to be removed from the site. Five per cent of the charges will also be donated to charities that help NET make the tramway safer for everyone, and around £2,500 has already been raised for worthy causes from enforcement action at The Forest”
That means that one one site they’ve pocketed about £47,500 from clamping cars that they’ve NOT given to charity!
Surely the point is that NET have supported local causes. If into the bargain they are also using money raised through the fines to support the tram network which serves the local community that is a justified use of the revenue.