Parking To Be Decriminalised ?

PARKING enforcement may be taken out of the hands of the police and managed by the district council.
South Oxfordshire, including Thame, will be the first area in the county to have their police-controlled Traffic Wardens replaced by civilians by 2008, if a business case for viability of the scheme, can be made.
While a survey of all the existing parking restrictions in the area is being carried out, there is likely to be an embargo on any new parking restriction orders.
According to Peter Ronald, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Environment and Economy, the changes could include an increase in residents’ parking permits because they may prove to be more cost effective.
Speaking at a meeting of the Thame Traffic Advisory Committee meeting last week, Mr Ronald said that, although the police will remove persistant offenders, clamping is only likely to be used in exceptional circumstances.