Devon parking fines down 40 per cent

Lockdown hits traffic wardens' work

Parking fines issued by Devon County Council so far this year are down by 40 per cent on 2019.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the coronavirus lockdown, far fewer motorists have been issued Penalty Charge Notices by traffic wardens in area for which the county council has on-street parking rights. District councils have control of car parks.

In April, the first full month of lockdown, the county council only nabbed 10 per cent of the number of drivers than it had in the same month in 2019. In May, that proportion had risen to 30 per cent. 

On-street parking enforcement on most roads in the county was suspended following the coronavirus outbreak in March, although motorists were still be banned from parking on double yellow lines and key routes.

In some areas, fines didn't start again till 25 May. Between April 1 and October 31, a total of 26,290 parking fines have been dished out, compared to 43,691 for the same period in 2019.

Most on-street fines were issued in Exeter, a total of 10,944, with Exmouth (2,153), and Newton Abbot (1,640) and Teignmouth (1,342) the other areas over 1,000.

At the other end of the scale, Berrynabor, Bradninch, Brixton, Broadclyst, Chillington, Dartington, Fremington, Frithlestock, Georgeham, Halberton, Harberton, Heathfield, Hope Cove, Ipplepen, Liverton, Longcombe, Marlborough, Newton Poppleford, Ogwell, Otterton, Plympton, Roundswell, Sampford Peverell, Slapton, South Milton, South Zeal, Teigngrace, Thurlestone, Uffculme and Widecombe-in-the-Moor have yet to see a single ticket issued.

TOP TEN AREAS

1 – Exeter – 10,944

2 – Exmouth – 2,153

3 – Newton Abbot – 1,640

4 – Teignmouth – 1,342

5 – Dartmouth – 825

6 – Totnes – 809

7 – Barnstaple – 769

8 – Kingsbridge – 593

9 – Salcombe – 557

10 – Tavistock – 449