| Figures obtained by the Tele under Freedom of Information showed the authority’s parking enforcement officers issued 27,030 penalty notices during 2008, earning revenue of £678,990.
It also emerged a bustling street in the heart of Dundee’s cultural quarter has again been named the city’s parking ticket hot spot.
1537 penalty notices were handed out by wardens in South Tay Street during 2008, and a further 189 in the adjacent car park.
Drivers using on-street spaces in South Tay Street, which runs between Nethergate and the West Port, said today wardens were a familiar sight in the area.
Perth Road resident John Ramsay (22) said, “It’s shocking how much the council makes on parking tickets. This street is notorious for it.
“The wardens seem to target this street and a lot of businesses must be affected as people can’t park outside in case they get a ticket.”
Derek Cruickshank (56), from West Ferry, said, “I drop off my partner here as she works nearby and every day I see parking wardens walking up and down patrolling.
“The charge for parking is far too expensive. I think most people now go to the car parks. As far as I’m concerned, if they reduced the parking charges, people wouldn’t park illegally and they wouldn’t get tickets.”
On-street parking in South Tay Street during peak times — including Sunday afternoons — costs from 60p for 20 minutes up to £1.80 for the maximum one hour.
Vicki Halworth (30) from Perth Road said, “To be honest, to park a car here is so expensive, the charges here are just so high.
“I drive, but I leave my car at home as I cannot afford to park here. Just about every time you look out the window you see wardens doing the rounds.”
In 1997, parking was changed from a criminal to a civil matter in some local authority areas, including Dundee, with teams of council parking attendants replacing police traffic wardens.
Drivers who park illegally are issued with a £30 fine, which doubles if it is not paid within two weeks.
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said, “Parking fines are issued by attendants who enforce the regulations so, if no motorist parked illegally, no fixed penalty notices would be handed out.
“However in many cases illegally parked vehicles cause congestion and are a danger to other road users, especially pedestrians. It is also vital emergency vehicles can gain access.
“Other road users often get in touch with the council or with parking attendants directly for help with inconsiderately parked vehicles causing problems.” |
