On the 1 December 2009 a Considerate Parking Initiative was launched in Brightlingsea. The initiative aimed to highlight issues around anti-social parking and the effect this can have on a community. The Considerate Parking Initiative is a partnership arrangement between Essex Police, Tendring District Council, Brightlingsea Town Council and the Tendring Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers and the District Councils Civil Enforcement Officers issue notices to vehicles parked in a manner that whilst not necessarily illegal, or in contravention of existing Traffic Regulation Orders are potentially causing a nuisance to others.

The initiative has proved so successful that it will now be extended to incorporate Harwich, Manningtree, Lawford and Mistley. The further extension of the scheme will be launched on 6th April 2010.

Examples of inconsiderate parking are where vehicles are parked on pavements when it is considered not necessary, or where they are parked too far onto the pavement causing a hazard to pedestrians. Vehicles parked too close to the edge of peoples driveways or to road junctions will also be targeted. New issues relating to inconsiderate or anti-social parking are being raised all the time. Parking on grass verges is a recent example.

Parking too close to the edge of driveways often leads to residents being unable to access or to exit from their drive resulting in additional parking on the road. Parking too close to road junctions is dangerous and will result in the introduction of double yellow line junction protection.

Parking on grass verges causes damage which is hazardous, unsightly and costly. The CPI scheme will be able to help assess whether communities wish to retain their grass verges and / or if alternative parking can or should be made available. It is an offence under the Highway Act to park on grass verges and the scheme may be able to assist with targeted prosecutions.

The idea behind the scheme is to provide an opportunity for motorists to understand the consequences of their actions, to alter their parking habits and therefore avoid the need for further regulation of the roads, for the police to issue notices for obstruction or for other legal action to be undertaken.

The partners launching the initiative recognise the need to retain valuable parking space where possible and the need to win public support to combat anti-social parking. By highlighting the issues and asking motorists to be more considerate it is hoped the need for further regulation and enforcement can be avoided.

The CPI scheme is enabling Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers and the local authority parking services to work together with the community on parking related matters. The scheme has been recognised nationally as an innovative approach to parking enforcement winning the Living Streets category at the recent British Parking Awards ceremony in London.

The scheme is supported by the Tendring Access Group and the Essex Coalition of Disabled People.

General enquiries concerning the scheme can also be made by contacting Brightlingsea Town Council 01206 303535 bseatc@btconnect.com or Tendring District Council parking service 01255 686969 parkingservices@tendringdc.gov.uk.