New parking charges have come into effect

A new two-tier system of parking charges came into effect in Norwich on Monday 31 March.

Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council have brought in a two-tier system of parking charges in the city, in line with central government legislation.

Parking contraventions will now be divided into two levels. Higher level contraventions include:

• loading or unloading in a restricted street
• parking in a permit space without displaying a permit
• parking in a disabled space without displaying a disabled badge
• parking in a space designated for police or ambulance vehicles
• parking in a restricted area of a car park

These will now incur a penalty charge of £70. If this is paid within 14 days, the charge will be £35.

Lower level contraventions include:

• parking after the expiry of the pay and display time
• parking for longer than the permitted period
• parking beyond bay markings

These will now incur a penalty charge of £50. If this is paid within 14 days, the charge will be £25.

The overall amount paid in penalty charges is expected to be broadly the same.

The previous cost was a blanket charge of £60 for all parking contraventions, or £30 within 14 days. These charges were set in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1991.

Charges for removal, storage and disposal of vehicles have also changed. The vehicle removal charge is now £105, the storage charge is £12 for each day or part of a day during which the vehicle is impounded, and the disposal charge is £50.

These changes have been put into place following introduction of Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004, which came into effect on 31 March. The TMA dictates two bands of charges.