Parking Fines Increase

A recent report has revealed that Parking Fines in Swale have increased by almost 53 % since Parking Enforcement was outsourced in November 2011.

The Report revealed that from November 2010 to October 2011 - before out-sourcing - 14,052 fines were imposed, bringing in £339,819.

From November 2011 to October 2012 - after the private company was brought in - there were 21,673 penalty charges issued, generating £523,187.

Labour leader Cllr Roger Truelove said these were ‘striking figures'

Cllr Truelove said: "You could say that prior to the contract, the council was very inefficient at collecting parking fines, or you could say that the contractors are over-enthusiastic ". Last year, he offered his support to businesses in West Street, Sittingbourne, who were losing trade because customers were frequently getting tickets while parking on a single yellow line outside. He said at the time that traffic enforcement needed a commonsense approach.