During that period various criteria had to be completed prior to an application being submitted to the Scottish Government for Midlothian Council to become a de-criminalised parking area. On 2 April 2018 the necessary powers were granted by the Scottish Government.
The formal introduction of parking enforcement is due to come into force across Midlothian on 16 April 2018. This follows three weeks of warning flyers and dummy tickets being issued to illegally parked vehicles around the county.
The new system will see penalty charge notices (£60 reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days) issued to any vehicle committing a parking offence in Midlothian.
Decriminalised parking enforcement, that makes parking offences a civil matter rather than a criminal one, has been introduced to help reduce illegal parking in Midlothian.
The system will be enforced by three parking attendants who will enforce parking controls at pay and display car parks, yellow lines, bus stops, disabled bays and school keep clears.
Decriminalised parking will play a vital role in helping reduce inconsiderate parking across Midlothian, ensuring that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists can safely access important amenities such as schools, shops, health centres and industrial estates.
By reducing congestion through parking restriction enforcement, the new system can also help regenerate our town centres and hopefully improve road safety for all road users.”
More information about the introduction of de-criminalised parking in Midlothian can be found at www.midlothian.gov.uk/parking