Motorists are being advised by the Council to take special care where they park their cars over the Easter break if they want to avoid getting a parking ticket.

Drivers are likely to receive a ticket if they leave their vehicle on a yellow line on Good Friday or Easter Monday.

Although both days are bank holidays, yellow line restrictions remain in force on these days.  This is because most yellow lines are situated at locations where parked vehicles could be dangerous by blocking sight lines for pedestrians and other road users or cause an obstruction.

Motorists can park for free for as long as they like in parking bays in controlled parking zones on bank holidays but yellow line waiting restrictions and loading restrictions will be enforced.  

Drivers who leave their cars in bays that are only available for part of the day are being reminded that they should not park there whilst the yellow line waiting restrictions are in force. These parking bays are mainly found in bus lanes and have yellow lines operating during morning and afternoon peak hours.

Enforcement action is also likely against vehicles obstructing driveways and those that park unlawfully in specialist bays such as doctors' bays and mandatory disabled bays.

It is also illegal to park in front of dropped kerbs. These facilities - which are found on virtually every street corner - ensure that disabled pedestrians and parents with pushchairs can safely cross the road. As well as receiving a penalty notice, vehicles that park in these locations could also be towed away.

Technical services director Tony McDonald said:
"The vast majority of yellow line restrictions - especially at places like street corners - remain in force on bank holidays.  

"The question drivers must ask themselves is 'would this yellow line restriction be in force on any other Friday or Monday?' If the answer is yes then they shouldn't park there.
 

"Generally speaking drivers can check what the rules are for each specific yellow line by looking at the small yellow signs that are attached to adjacent lamposts. These will tell you the days of the week and the hours of the day when the restrictions are in force.  If the yellow sign says that parking is outlawed Monday to Friday, then that will include all bank holidays that fall on those days."

April 20, 2011