CityHeart parking amnesty to run for four weeks

Council will be distributing flyers on cars in November informing motorists of changes to after-hours parking enforcement in the CityHeart.

The four week amnesty will advise motorists that parking areas set aside for taxis, buses and mobility spaces will be enforced from December. The goodwill initiative in the CBD will also assess parking misuse in these areas.

Hamilton Central Business Association chairman Peter Gates says as more people come into town to enjoy the hospitality facilities especially around the recently revitalised Victoria Street area, the more traffic management must be upheld.

“I applaud the Council and their CitySafe staff for adopting the idea of an ambassadorial role to educate people about proper use of designated parking spaces. A little bit of commonsense and respect can avoid the risk of a parking ticket and make life easier for those people reliant upon access to designated parking areas.”

CitySafe unit manager Elton Parata says it is an essential part of safety for pedestrians that parking for buses, taxis and mobility spaces remain freely available for their intended use.

“We will be ensuring that only taxi cabs are able to access the ranks, mobility spaces are kept clear for mobility users, and bus stops remain clear for buses.

“We have received a number of complaints from the Taxi Association and from CCS that the vehicles that should be able to ulitise these parks have not able to due to motorists misusing the parks.”

From December, officers will work through the CityHeart area to 3am issuing infringement notices to offending vehicles parking in these spaces.