NEW PARKING LAWS COME INTO FORCE

The move includes the name "parking attendants" being changed to "civil enforcement officers", larger fines for some offences and lower ones for others.

Those enforcing the laws are also being encouraged only to wheelclamp persistent offenders, with clamping being used only as a last resort.

The new regulations will also mean councils outside London can, for the first time, use CCTV cameras to enforce parking rules.

The parking and traffic enforcement councils have set up a "one-stop shop" - in the form of a website called Patrol for those wanting information or wanting to pay or challenge a parking fine.

A new adjudication service, the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, will hear challenges against parking tickets.

Transport minister Rosie Winterton said: "Parking rules exist to help beat congestion and improve road safety. These regulations will help make parking enforcement fairer, clearer and more open."

Under the new framework, local authorities should ensure that parking attendants have clear evidence that a vehicle was parked in contravention of rules before issuing a penalty charge notice.

The AA has issued a set of "10 Commandments" to accompany the new regulations, saying the new rules should not become an excuse to raise revenue, and that targets for fines income or the number of tickets issued should not be set.

Councillor David Sparks, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: "Everyone hates congestion and delays to their journey, and the new regulations will help councils deliver more effective parking management to improve traffic flow and make the roads safer for everybody."