Sections 63 to 77 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 decriminalise most on-street parking offences within Special Parking Areas (SPAs) or Permitted Parking Areas (PPAs). Following approval by the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions traffic authorities may introduce Special Parking Areas in which they can enforce most on-street parking regulations through the issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) or authorisation of wheelclamping or vehicle removals. Any excess income generated may be used by the traffic authority to improve parking within the area, undertake minor road improvements or enhance public transport services. Sections 63 to 77 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 decriminalise most on-street parking offences within Special Parking Areas (SPAs) or Permitted Parking Areas (PPAs). Following approval by the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions traffic authorities may introduce Special Parking Areas in which they can enforce most on-street parking regulations through the issue of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) or authorisation of wheelclamping or vehicle removals. Any excess income generated may be used by the traffic authority to improve parking within the area, undertake minor road improvements or enhance public transport services. The then Secretary of State for Transport required that each London borough introduce a SPA/PPA in its area by 4th July 1994. The Transport Research Laboratory was commissioned to undertake studies of the effectiveness of local authority enforcement in three areas, namely Hammersmith & Fulham, where a SPA was introduced on 3rd October 1993, and Bexley and the City of Westminster, both of which assumed responsibility for enforcement in SPAs operational from the deadline date of 4th July 1994. This report presents the results of these studies, and discusses some of the issues relating generally to Special Parking Areas in London and the implications for authorities setting up SPAs in the provinces. (A)
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