Maidenhead & Windsor

Windsor and Maidenhead Drivers who park illegally in the Royal Borough will be on notice from the beginning of January – park correctly or you could get a £60 penalty charge notice.

During the first two weeks of the New Year the Windsor and Maidenhead council will be making its final preparations to take over responsibility for parking enforcement from the police. Parking attendants will be issuing warning notices to drivers who park where they shouldn't, reminding them that if they do so after Monday January 14 they will be penalised.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways, transport and environment, said: "Residents and businesses have had enough of the thoughtless, selfish parking of non-residents who seem to think they can leave their vehicles where they like despite causing serious issues for pedestrians, other road users and businesses. In central Windsor non-residents also take up spaces in residents' parking permit areas. All show casual disregard for the law.

"The council is determined to restore order when we take over enforcement from the police, who will then be freed up to do what they do best – fight crime."

Cllr Rayner added: "We realise that for central Windsor residents in particular there is an acute shortage of parking. That is why we are also reviewing the parking spaces and regulations with a view to creating more spaces for residents in this area to take effect between March and May 2008."

Resident parking permit holders who can't find a parking space near their home in the evening can use their yellow Advantage card to get free parking in one of the Royal Borough's convenient car parks in Windsor and Maidenhead.
Maidenhead: Stafferton Way, Grove Road, West Street and the Town Hall (Park Street entrance).
Windsor: Victoria Street, East Berkshire College, Alma Road, Alexandra Gardens, King Edward VII (Datchet Road), Romney Lock and York House (Sheet Street).
(In Windsor free evening parking in the above car parks is also available with a resident's parking permit).

The Windsor and Maidenhead council has applied to the Department for Transport to become a Special Parking Area (SPA) and is expecting the result any day. This will mean the council can take over responsibility for yellow lines and limited waiting, as well as its own residents' permits. Existing parking and waiting restrictions will remain the same, the only change being that the council will be in charge of enforcement instead of the police.

Parking attendants will not get bonuses or incentives for issuing a certain number of tickets. They will enforce parking regulations openly, fairly and consistently for all. They will also act as council ambassadors, providing advice and assistance to the community by reporting problems such as litter, graffiti and flytipping.

Further information is available by:

* visiting the Royal Borough's website www.rbwm.gov.uk
* writing to The Parking Team, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF
* calling 01628 683880
* emailing parking@rbwm.gov.uk

From January 14 maps will be available on the Royal Borough's website so drivers can check where parking restrictions are in force on local streets and roads.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead