Local authority news Updates from councils across the UK New positive parking plan for Colchester Colchester Borough Council has launched a new parking strategy that aims to deliver improved and smarter parking services in the borough as part of the Positive Parking Agenda. It has also launched a new parking discount kind in the country, the scheme will give motorists parking-stay discounts of up to 5 when they make a purchase in participating town centre shops Each time a motorist spends money and gets a QR code in their MiPermit app scanned in participating shops and venues, a discount will be applied automatically to their parking. Simon Crow, Colchester Borough Councils portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said: This innovative parking-discount scheme not only supports our new parking strategy for Colchester, but is also a fantastic way for us to support town centre businesses following the impact of coronavirus restrictions during the We have worked closely with Colchesters Business Improvement District and local businesses for many months to develop the scheme and will continue to do so as the pilot progresses. We hope lots of motorists will make use of See Colchesters new Positive Parking Strategy at colchester.gov.uk/positiveparking-strategy Environment award for Dundee City Council Oxfordshire will keep traffic moving The government has approved Oxfordshire County Councils bid to take on responsibility for civil parking enforcement. The council already enforces parking in Oxford City and West Oxfordshire, and will take over from Thames Valley Police in South Oxfordshire, the Vale of White Horse and Cherwell, ensuring continuity across the county when the change comes into force, which is expected to be on 1 November 2021. Three enforcement officers will be in operation, with their initial focus mainly on Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington, with other areas being dealt with as needed. Extra onstreet pay and display car parking spaces will be created in the Vale of White Horse, South Oxfordshire and Cherwell. These are intended to help market towns in the post-Covid-19 recovery period, as it leads to a greater turnover of spaces, which is better for shops and businesses. The aim is for the new arrangement to be self-funding, with the extra pay and display spaces helping to pay for enforcement costs, although there will be some limited funding from the three districts. Go-slow zones for e-scooters Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has welcomed the introduction of upgraded GPS technology enabled the introduction of Go-slow and No-go zones as part of the governments e-scooter pilot in the area. The bike and e-scooter hire company has announced the introduction of its new geo-fencing technology, which automatically and gradually slows down e-scooters to a walking pace of 3mph in these zones. The technology has been introduced to help ensure the safety of riders and pedestrians. Councillor Mike Greene, BCP Councils portfolio holder for transport and sustainability, said: We are pleased to be participating in the e-scooter pilot. So undertaken 14,500 journeys, replacing many trips that would have otherwise been taken by car. The introduction of No-go and Go-slow zones is a further welcome development in the trial. Dundee City Council has won the Fleet News Environment Innovation award for showing outstanding leadership and a partnership approach in bringing organisations together to deliver EV infrastructure. Its influence has spread well beyond its own fleet. Fraser Crichton, corporate fleet manager for Dundee City Council, said: I am delighted at winning this award. Its a great achievement for the fantastic corporate fleet team. Kents lorry parking powers end The government has decided not to extend Kent County Councils temporary powers to clamp and fine unlawfully parked lorries (weighing more than five tonnes) in restricted zones across seven districts and boroughs in the county. The powers had been granted to the council at the beginning of this year to use on routes to the Channel ports, including in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, Maidstone, Swale, and Thanet. Clean air zones: extension and delays Plans to extend Manchesters clean air zone (CAZ) have been agreed by Greater Manchesters 10 local authorities. The CAZ will come into effect in May 2022. Meanwhile, Bristols CAZ will not launch until summer 2022, nine months later than planned. 12 britishparking.co.uk PN August 2021 pp12-13 LA News.indd 12 22/07/2021 10:54 m200