THE number of parking fines issued to Devon’s motorists so far this year is down by 40 per cent on 2019 figures.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the coronavirus lockdown, far fewer motorists have been issued Penalty Charge Notices by traffic wardens in the county in 2020 compared to 2019.
In figures presented to last week’s Devon County Council corporate infrastructure and regulatory service scrutiny committee, every month from April to October has seen significantly fewer tickets issued this year, with only 10 per cent of 2019’s number issued in April and 30 per cent in May.
On-street parking enforcement on most roads in the county was suspended following the coronavirus outbreak in March, although motorists were still be banned from parking on double yellow lines and key routes.
In peripheral or some residential areas, enforcement action was not taken until it resumed on May 25.
Between April 1 and October 31, a total of 26,290 parking fines have ben dished out, compared to 43,691 for the same period in 2019.
Exeter has seen the most fines issues, totalling 10,944, with Exmouth (2,153), and Newton Abbot (1,640) and Teignmouth (1,342) the other areas over 1,000.
At the other end of the scale, Berrynabor, Bradninch, Brixton, Broadclyst, Chillington, Dartington, Fremington, Frithlestock, Georgeham, Halberton, Harberton, Heathfield, Hope Cove, Ipplepen, Liverton, Longcombe, Marlborough, Newton Poppleford, Ogwell, Otterton, Plympton, Roundswell, Sampford Peverell, Slapton, South Milton, South Zeal, Teigngrace, Thurlestone, Uffculme and Widecombe-in-the-Moor have yet to see a single ticket issued.
TOP TEN AREAS
1 – Exeter – 10,944
2 – Exmouth – 2,153
3 – Newton Abbot – 1,640
4 – Teignmouth – 1,342
5 – Dartmouth – 825
6 – Totnes – 809
7 – Barnstaple – 769
8 – Kingsbridge – 593
9 – Salcombe – 557
10 – Tavistock – 449