Traffic Signs at Waldeck Street, Lincoln - Find a freedom of information request

1. Would like any documentation in regards to the compliance and legality of larger parking notices that have been used for parking enforcement penalties especially those on Waldeck Street directly opposite access from Albany Street. These signs are placed such that they are totally invisible to visiting motorists entering Waldeck Street from Albany Street.

2. In regards to the defacing of the smaller parking signs and prolonged periods for their obscurity leading to the lack of clarity as to the parking scheme (and legality of the signs) can the council please advise as to why it continued to apply penalty notice to motorists?

3. The Council are supposed to be a service the looks and serves in the best interest of the people. The parking system in and around the surrounding area to Waldeck Street as I have best been informed, is operated under the council’s instruction by APCOA Group (a private company).

a) The scheme was implemented without consultation and the consent of those effected residents. Can the council please concur if any consultation process was undertaken? If so, when and how?

b) Residents feel that the location isn't local to either the University or town centre and as such serves no benefit to themselves. In fact they now have to pay to park outside of their own property and in addition extra charges are incurred to accommodate any visitors. Can the council provide justification as to why local residents should be financial penalised by a scheme that they feel isn't required?

c) Can the council please explain as to why it feels that the contracting of a parking company such as APCOA is in the interest of both the council and more importantly the local residents? Local residents strongly believe that the scheme is purely revenue motivated. As stated in all of the above, this would certainly appear to be the governing factor. Can the council please clarify?

1. Please refer to the Traffic signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 for information regarding all signage used in the public highway, and the Traffic Signs Manual with regard to siting of signs:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-regulations-and-general-directions-2016-an-overview

2. Enforcement only takes place when the signs are clear to the reasonable motorist. 

3.

a. The scheme was introduced in 2010 following consultation, with residents initially, to confirm sufficient support for the scheme as a majority in favour is required for a permit scheme to proceed. Sufficient support was received and a statutory consultation for the traffic regulation order followed during which residents were again consulted and were able to submit objections. Objections to the scheme were received and were reported to a county council committee with a recommendation that these were overruled. Subsequently they were overruled and the scheme was introduced.

b. If residents are not happy with the scheme then they may raise this with their local county councillor who can request for amendments to the traffic regulation order for the scheme to be made, or for it to be removed.

c. Council decision to outsource enforcement is to achieve value for money and a more efficient, reactive service. Enforcement is not revenue driven but is aimed at ensuring compliance on the network in respect of motorists parking practices. Further detailed information is available within our CPE procedures manual.