Parking Enforcement
Civil Parking Enforcement
Parking Contraventions and Penalty Charges
Serving Penalty Charge Notices by Post
What to do if you get a Penalty Charge Notice
Representations and Appeals
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Civil Parking Enforcement
Taunton Deane Borough Council carries out enforcement of on- and off-street parking regulations right across our area.
The Borough Council is the enforcement authority for all off-street car parks. Somerset County Council is the enforcement authority for all on-street parking matters, with the Borough Council acting as its agent.
The parking, limited waiting and loading/unloading rules are contained in Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs). These state what provisions and prohibitions there are for parking and other activities in any given location. These are generally visible on the ground as yellow lines, loading/unloading bans charged parking bays, Residents Parking Zones and, in car parks, blocks of marked spaces.
From 31 March 2008 enforcement of all these is governed by the Traffic Management Act 2004 and subsequent Regulations (Statutory Instruments). The new legislation will not itself change any of the TROs themselves; the various restrictions remain in place, but it lays down quite stringently the procedures enforcement authorities must follow in issuing and following up Penalty Charge Notices.
It does transfer enforcement of zig-zag lines at pedestrian crossings from the Police to the County Council. The Borough Council will carry out the enforcement as part of its agency duties.
One other change is that Parking Attendants become Civil Enforcement Officers.
Parking Contraventions and Penalty Charges
Previously all parking contraventions carried a £60 penalty charge. The new legislation brings in a two tier system of higher and lower penalty charges depending on the seriousness of the contravention.
In simple terms a higher penalty charge is imposed, for example, for parking on a yellow line, on a loading ban or in a designated disabled bay without a valid disabled badge and a lower penalty charge for not displaying a ticket in a Pay & Display car park or for overstaying the time you had bought.
In Taunton Deane the higher penalty charge is £70 and the lower £50. Both these amounts are reduced by 50% for prompt payment before the end of the 14 day discount period.
 The list of higher and lower contraventions applicable within Taunton Deane.
Serving Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) by Post
Up to 30 March 2008 enforcement authorities outside of London have been limited to serving PCNs in person. If a motorist was able to drive away, or the Parking Attendant was otherwise obstructed from serving the PCN that was the end of the matter.
Under the Traffic Management Act enforcement authorities are able to serve PCNs by post in 'drive away' situations and where the Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) has been prevented from serving one in person. This can be done only if the CEO had started to issue the PCN before the vehicle was driven off or the 'prevention' occurred. In such cases the enforcement authority gets the registered keeper information from DVLA.
What to do if you get a Penalty Charge Notice
DON'T IGNORE IT
The Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) gives clear instructions and advice about your options. There are really only two; pay or challenge. If you don't do either the Borough Council will follow up the PC with other documents seeking payment and ultimately the amount will increase. The final link in the recovery chain is a visit from a Certified Recovery Agent - better known as a bailiff.
How to pay
- By telephone credit/debit card payments only. 01823 356598 (Monday/Friday 8am-6pm) for making payments only. Have vehicle details and PCN number ready.
- Pay on-line
- By post to: Revenues, Taunton Deane Borough Council, The Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton TA1 1HE. Allow two working days for 1st Class post and five for 2nd Class.
- In person at the Council Offices at The Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton (Monday-Thursday 9.00am-4.30pm & Friday 9.00am-4.00pm) or 30 Fore Street, Wellington (Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.00pm)
How to challenge
If you are unable to write or have any other enquiry please telephone 01823 356345.
Please quote the PCN number, the vehicle registration and your address in all contacts.
Representations and Appeals
You can challenge a Penalty Charge Notice at three stages, but each must be in writing:
- Informal representations - these are usually made immediately after the PCN has been issued - if this is rejected you can submit a formal appeal
- Formal appeal - made after a Notice to Owner has been sent out (not earlier than 28 days before the PCN was issued). The Notice says on what grounds and in what format the appeal must be made.
- Appeal to independent adjudicator - made if your Formal Appeal is rejected you can choose to have it heard by an independent adjudicator from the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. The letter rejecting your Formal Appeal will include the details on how to do this.
Traffic Penalty Tribunal
Information about how to appeal against a PCN is available on the Traffic Penalty Tribunal's website (external link)
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