Advice in place for Carlisle drivers

New parking powers are now force in Carlisle and will result in a new range of parking penalty charges for drivers who break the rules.

Traffic contraventions which are considered to have more impact on road users, such as parking on double yellow lines or parking in a disabled bay without a blue badge will now incur a £70 penalty charge (discounted to £35 if paid within 14 days). Lesser offences such as parking outside marked parking bays will incur a £50 charge (discounted to £25 if paid within 14 days).

For the first time, a penalty charge can also be issued for parking on zigzag lines. Enforcement of parking across dropped kerbs and for parking more than 50cm from the kerb is also included in the new regulations, subject to additional legislation being introduced.

The new legislation, which came into force at midnight on Sunday, 30 March, also aims to be fairer to those who receive a parking penalty charge notice and will provide a fairer appeals process:

If you receive a penalty charge notice you may submit a written challenge and the council will give full consideration to the points you have made and aim to respond within 14 days.

If this challenge is submitted within 14 days of receiving the penalty charge notice and the challenge is unsuccessful we will usually re-offer the early payment discount for a further 14 days.

For those who wish to appeal further following the rejection of their initial challenge, there will be an appeal process, including the right for the appeal to be considered by an independent adjudicator.

A special working group of Cumbria County Council and all six of the district councils, has been set up to deal with the implementation of the new legislation and review progress. On Street Parking Enforcement is devolved from Cumbria County Council to each of the six districts. The previous cost of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) anywhere in Cumbria is £60, reduced to £30 if it is paid within 14 days of the ticket being issued.