Update on DPE (Decriminalised Parking Enforcement)

4.54.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Jun 2005

DPE is now in operation across the Borough. Penalty Notices have been issued since 3rd May.

Enforcement of on-street parking rules by the new "parking attendants" employed by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has now started. It is understood that a number of "Penalty Notices" have now been issued. The actual effect on nuisance parking is not yet clear.

Full implementation was delayed until 3rd May for legal formalities to be completed. Instead from 4th April warnings were issued as a "soft launch" and in the first two weeks over 600 were issued.

We wish the new Parking Attendants (and their manager) well - it is a thankless task. However, it remains to be seen how effective the new system is in reducing illegal parking. The scheme is over a year late and due to the delay it may take people some time to get used to using car parks and not parking on yellow lines.

In a random check, one Parking Attendant was seen ticketing cars in the town centre, but half an hour later the space he cleared had once again been filled by illegally parked cars, much as used to happen when the Police had only one or two wardens operating.

The big question is whether the council will employ enough Parking Attendants to enforce on-street parking restrictions, as well as run all its car parks. The Lib Dem FOCUS team will be monitoring the situation.