Motorists be warned: from today Fife Council will be responsible for enforcing both on and off-street parking regulations for the first time.
The local authority have recruited extra parking attendants to patrol Fife’s streets and car parks, which will allow police to focus on more serious crime.
The change will not affect existing parking regulations, for example yellow lines, disabled bays, loading bays, pay and display car parks, so responsible drivers who park legally should not notice any difference.
Parking attendants will now be issuing penalty charge notices to anyone parked illegally.
Transportation spokesman Pat Callaghan said: “It’s only right that the council is in charge of parking enforcement within its towns and villages.
“The change will help to improve safety and access for all road users, and encourage more people to live, shop and work here.
“There’s no need to be concerned about the change, if you stick to the parking regulations you won’t notice any difference.”
The full fine is £60, stipulated in the Scottish Government’s legislation on decriminalised parking enforcement. If drivers pay within 14 days of receiving the fine it is reduced by 50% to £30, which is the same as the current charging.
A new first for Fife is that offenders will now be able to see photographic evidence of their offence and pay the fine online at www.fifedirect.org.uk/parkingfines. The more established methods of payment by phone and post are also available.
The change is being made to create a more coordinated approach to traffic management and road safety.
By enforcing both on street and off-street parking regulations, Fife Council is aiming to ensure that roads are not blocked by illegally parked vehicles, buses can use the bays provided, and car parking is used appropriately to meet the needs of people living, working and visiting Fife.
Many other councils in Scotland have already taken over parking enforcement from the police including Dundee, Perth and Kinross, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.