By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
The operator of Nottingham’s trams says it has taken action against hundreds of motorists at a park and ride site as part of a crackdown on unsafe parking.
In October a stricter strategy was introduced to enforce Nottingham Express Transit (NET) rules at the Forest Park and Ride site.
It targets unsafe parking and overnight parking, as well as motorists who park up but don’t then use the tram.
The rules cover all 972 parking spaces over 24-hour periods.
Motorists parking outside of bays and on public walkways, as well as parking overnight, first receive a warning notice.
If this is not adhered to vehicles are then clamped.
The owner of the clamped vehicle then faces a £140 fee to release it and, if a vehicle is removed from the site, recovery costs £200 and an extra £35 per day storage charge.
NET performance and progress documents show more than 80 cars have been clamped since the enforcement campaign began on October 17 this year.
More than 250 warning notices have also been issued.
Trevor Stocker, the head of operations for Nottingham Trams Limited, said: “The two issues that are being addressed by the enforcement action are the increased numbers of customers parking unsafely outside designated bays, and the increase in the number of non-tram users parking at the site, with vehicles often being left overnight.
“It is important to ensure maximum capacity is available for tram customers using this facility.”
In the first two days alone enforcement officers clamped 28 vehicles and issued more than 40 warning notices, according to Mr Stocker.
White lines marking parking bays have also been re-painted following the use of the site by Nottingham Goose Fair in October.
The issue will be discussed further at the Nottingham City Council meeting on December 13.
