Text Resize : Transport Minister, Conor Murphy has welcomed a new cross border pilot agreement which means all parking offenders can be pursued.
Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Transport Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea, which has overall responsibility for vehicle licensing in the north, and the Department of Transport in Dublin (DoT), DRD Roads Service and the Department of Transport can now acquire the details of drivers who ignore parking penalties or toll charges.
The Minister welcomed the latest development and said: "It is important that all road users adhere to parking and traffic restrictions. Parking control is an essential part of traffic management and road safety wherever you live on this island, and this new measure will strengthen enforcement."
"Illegal parking leads to congested roads, blocked accesses and frustrated drivers. No-one wants to get a parking ticket and I would again urge drivers to park properly and have a thought for other motorists and pedestrians."
Transport Minster for the Department of Transport in Dublin, Noel Dempsey said : "It is an indication of the close levels of co-operation on this project between our colleagues in the Department for Transport DVLA and authorities in the North, that we have successfully overcome potential difficulties regarding data privacy and security issues in the pursuit of cross-border traffic offenders. This is another important step in road safety and traffic enforcement and one that we are all strongly committed to."
Southern drivers who have received parking fines in the North prior to 3 March 2010 should note that these penalties are still valid and should be paid. The Department for Regional Development will be writing to repeat offenders in the South in relation to penalties issued prior to this date.
Notes to editors:- The Department for Regional Development became responsible for parking enforcement in October 2006. This pilot project will run until the end of November this year.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Regional Development Press Office on 02890 540817. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
