by Stephen Waite

The introduction of a private parking enforcement company came as a “shock” to some Swale residents, according to a council report.

Apcoa Parking UK Ltd was employed jointly by Swale and Maidstone councils in November last year in a five-year deal worth nearly £2 million.

A scrutiny committee review of the service provided by the firm said there had been an “initial sharp rise” in the number of penalty notices issued.

The report found parking fines had also resulted in more people complaining to their representative on the council.

But it said this was now “tailing off” as drivers “changed their behaviour” to avoid a fine.

The report says: “Some areas of the borough were seldom patrolled and in other areas enforcement activity was patchy.

"The implementation of the new service has therefore come as a shock for some residents, visitors and businesses.”

Both off-street and on-street areas were being checked by officers “far more methodically and systematically”, it said.

The review, overseen by a group of councillors, also concluded the suggestion that parking wardens were on bonuses to issue fines was an urban myth.

The fee paid to the company by the council had no bearing on how many were issued, it added.

An online petition demanding changes to parking regulations in West Street, Sittingbourne was partly responsible for instigating the councillors’ report.

Traders were furious when customers received tickets for parking on a single yellow line outside their shops which, they claimed, had historically been overlooked by wardens.

Their request resulted in new waiting restrictions that allow parking for 20 minutes.

Parking on the pavement in Sittingbourne High Street was highlighted as a problem because Acpoa’s officers could not issue tickets for obstruction.

But double yellow lines are due to be put in which will mean motorists can be fined.

The report is due to be considered by the council’s ruling Tory cabinet which meets at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne tonight (Wednesday, November 7).

Drivers could pay for parking via mobile phone or credit or debit card under a recommendation made to Swale council.

The scrutiny committee came up with the suggestion after complaints from drivers who had received fines despite leaving a note saying they had gone to find change.

The committee’s review of parking enforcement said people were expected to carry sufficient change to pay to park and any vehicle without a valid ticket was likely to receive a fine.

It said rules had to be applied “consistently and fairly” to vehicles without a ticket and that officers checked machines were working and no one was queuing to buy a ticket before issuing a fine.