Letters sent by the city council’s highways service partner have attracted the consternation of opposition councillors.
Conservative group leader Cllr Peter Baillie questioned whether it is acceptable to send these warnings when they have never previously been enforced. Speaking at the full council meeting on Wednesday, September 24, he said:
“Is it acceptable to be sending residents letters saying that they may receive a £1,000 fine if we have never actually prosecuted anyone and issued such a fine? By the sounds of the email I received, we have no intention of doing that.”
In response, Labour cabinet member for transport Cllr Christie Lambert stated that the council is within its rights to enforce the legislation and collect the relevant fines. She emphasized that this is not a new process in Southampton.
Local authorities have the power under the Highways Act 1980 to fine anyone illegally using a vehicle to cross a footway to gain access to an address.
Cllr Lambert explained that highway inspectors from partner Balfour Beatty serve notices to properties if an inspector observes a vehicle parked on a driveway where it must have driven over the footway illegally to get there. The council issues multiple separate notices, and if the issue persists, a third and final notice is sent, warning of the risk of financial penalty.
Responding to Cllr Baillie’s concerns, Cllr Lambert added:
“You can’t have a go at us for not enforcing things and then have a go at us for enforcing things. It is our right to enforce the legislation.” She also mentioned that the deputy council leader is happy to review matters on a case-by-case basis.
Conservative councillor Sarah Powell-Vaughan raised another issue representing a resident in the Sholing ward. The resident had a driveway installed by the council and was told they did not need a dropped kerb but still received a warning letter.
Cllr Powell-Vaughan said:
“They shouldn’t be sending these letters out to tenants.”
READ MORE: Pensioner told he can’t park on his drive by council despite doing so for 20 years
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/25500641.southampton-residents-warned-1k-fines-driveway-rule/?ref=rss