Andrea Jenkyns has welcomed new common-sense measures to make sure drivers are treated more fairly when parking in Morley and Outwood, so that more people are encouraged to visit and support our local small businesses.
The measures announced by the Conservatives in Government include:
* A 10 minute grace period for drivers when parked in a council-owned car park or on-street parking space – so they’re not hit with a fine after being only a few minutes late back to their car.
* Banning the industrial use of CCTV ‘spy cars’ which issue automated fines.
* Stopping drivers being fined when parking meters are not working.
* Reinforcing the law that parking cannot be used by councils to generate revenue to use to fund general council spending.
* Allowing local residents and businesses to petition their council to review their parking policies to make sure they are supporting local businesses and high streets.
Andrea commented:
‘Under Labour, parking rules made law-abiding motorists feel like criminals, and caused enormous damage to shops and businesses.
‘That’s why the Conservatives in Government are introducing new common sense changes to make it easier for people to visit and park in Morley and Outwood. Official figures show that Leeds received
£6,894,000 in surplus revenue from parking charges and £3,157,000 in parking fines in 2013/14. Wakefield received £1,182,000 in surplus revenue from parking charges and £139,000 in parking fines in 2013/14. Wakefield and Leeds Councils must now get behind the changes that have been announced and ensure that their policies are not deterring people from visiting this area. The fact that people and businesses can now challenge these parking policies should encourage the council to do this.
‘Conservatives are ending the war on drivers who simply want to go about their daily business. This work is part of our long-term economic plan that is helping to transform high streets up and down the country so that once again they become vibrant centres of communities which people want to visit and enjoy’.