Citation and commencement

1.  This Order may be cited as the Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (Highland Council) Designation Order 2016 and comes into force on 3rd October 2016.

Interpretation

2.  In this Order-

"the 1991 Act" means the Road Traffic Act 1991; and

"the parking area" means the area designated as a permitted parking area and a special parking area by article 3.

Designation as permitted parking area and special parking area

3.  That part of the Highland local government area(2) specified in schedule 1 is designated as-

(a)a permitted parking area; and

(b)a special parking area.

Modifications and application of Part II of the 1991 Act

4.  Sections 66, 69 to 74, 79 and 82 and schedule 6 of the 1991 Act apply in relation to the parking area subject to the modifications specified in schedule 2.

Modifications of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

5.  The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984(3) is modified in relation to the parking area as specified in schedule 3.

Consequential modification

6.  In relation to a parking adjudicator appointed under section 73(3) of the 1991 Act by virtue of this Order, the reference in paragraph 40(b) of schedule 1 of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992(4) to a parking adjudicator appointed under section 73(3)(a) of the 1991 Act shall be construed as if it were a reference to a parking adjudicator appointed under section 73(3) of that Act by virtue of this Order.

Article 3

SCHEDULE 1SPECIFICATION OF PARKING AREA

1.  The Highland local government area, excluding such lengths of the following trunk roads, in so far as they fall within the Highland local government area, but not excluding the lengths of trunk road specified in paragraphs 2 to 7-

(a)A82 Dalnotter – Inverness;

(b)A86 Spean Bridge – Kingussie;

(c)A87 Invergarry – Kyle of Lochalsh – Borve – Uig;

(d)A828 Connel – South Ballachulish;

(e)A830 Fort William – Malliag;

(f)A835/A893 Tore – Ullapool;

(g)A887 Invermoriston – Moriston;

(h)A889 Dalwhinnie – Laggan Bridge;

(i)M9/A9 Edinburgh – Stirling – Thurso;

(j)A96 Aberdeen – Inverness;

(k)A99 Latheron – Wick.

2.  That length of the A82 Dalnotter – Inverness trunk road in Inverness from the junction of the section of that road known as Kenneth Street with the Telford Roundabout in a generally south easterly then south westerly direction to a point 120 metres or thereby south of the extended south kerbline of the road known as General Booth Road (C1118), a distance of 2470 metres of thereby.

3.  That length of the A82 Dalnotter – Inverness trunk road in Fort William from a point on the section of that road known as Belford Road opposite the extended southwest boundary wall of the Presbytery House of St Mary's Church, in a north easterly then south easterly direction to its junction with the circulatory carriageway of the Roundabout known as Nevis Bridge Roundabout, a distance of 635 metres or thereby.

4.  That length of the A835/A893 Tore – Ullapool trunk road in Ullapool from a point on the south side of the section of that road known as Shore Street 19 metres or thereby east of the extended western kerbline of Mill Street westwards to a point 9 metres or thereby east of the western gable of No. 2 West Shore Street, a distance of 400 metres or thereby.

5.  That length of the M9/A9 Edinburgh – Stirling – Thurso trunk road in Scrabster from a point 123 metres or thereby east of the extended east gable of Harbour House in a generally south easterly direction to its junction with the extended centre line of the road known as the A836, a distance of 3720 metres or thereby.

6.  That length of the A96 Aberdeen – Inverness trunk road in Nairn from its junction with the extended centre line of Wellington Road in a generally north easterly then south easterly direction to its junction with the extended centre line of the road known as the A939, a distance of 1270 metres or thereby.

7.  That length of the A99 Latheron – Wick trunk road in Wick from its junction with the extended centre line of Harrow Road in a generally northerly direction to its junction with the extended southern kerbline of Thurso Street, a distance of 910 metres or thereby.

Article 4

SCHEDULE 2MODIFICATIONS OF PROVISIONS OF PART II OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 1991

1.-(1) Section 66 is modified as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) omit "in a designated parking place".

(3) In subsection (2) omit-

(a)"For the purposes of this Part of the Act"; and

(b)paragraphs (a)(i), (b) and (c).

(4) In subsection (3)-

(a)in paragraph (d) for "the specified proportion" substitute "one half"; and

(b)in paragraph (e) for "London" substitute "parking".

(5) Omit subsection (4).

(6) For subsection (5)(b) substitute-

"(b)the parking authority.".

2.-(1) Section 69 is modified as follows.

(2) In subsection (1)-

(a)omit "in a designated parking place"; and

(b)for "specified in section 66(2)(a), (b) or (c) of this Act" substitute "in which a penalty charge is payable".

(3) In subsection (8) for the words from "London" to the end substitute "parking authority".

3.-(1) Section 71 is modified as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) for "a London" substitute "the parking".

(3) For subsection (4) substitute-

"(4) The grounds are-

(a)that there were no reasonable grounds for the parking attendant concerned to believe that the vehicle had been permitted to remain at rest in the parking area in circumstances in which a penalty charge was payable;

(b)that the vehicle had been permitted to remain at rest in the place where it was by a person who was in control of the vehicle without the consent of the owner;

(c)that the place where the vehicle was at rest was not in the parking area;

(d)in a case within subsection (1)(d) above, that, by virtue of an exemption given by section 70 of this Act, section 69 of this Act did not apply to the vehicle in question at the time in question; or

(e)that the penalty or other charge in question exceeded the amount applicable in the circumstances of the case.".

(4) In subsection (8)(b) for "costs" substitute "expenses".

4.-(1) Section 73 is modified as follows.

(2) Omit subsections (1), (1A) and (2).

(3) For subsection (3) substitute-

"(3) The traffic commissioner must, with the consent of the Lord Advocate, appoint persons to act as parking adjudicators.".

(4) After subsection (3) insert-

"(3A) A parking adjudicator appointed by virtue of this section is authorised to act as a parking adjudicator in relation to the parking area.

(3B) The parking authority, after consultation with the traffic commissioner-

(a)must-

(i)provide, or enter into arrangements for the provision of, accommodation and administrative staff for the parking adjudicators acting in relation to the parking area; and

(ii)determine the places at which such parking adjudicators are to sit; and

(b)may enter into arrangements for the remuneration of such parking adjudicators.".

(5) In subsection (4) for the words from "have" to the end substitute "be an advocate or solicitor of at least five years' standing".

(6) In subsection (5) for "appointing authorities" substitute "traffic commissioner".

(7) For subsections (8) to (10) substitute-

"(8) The reasonable expenses of the traffic commissioner incurred in connection with the discharge of the duties imposed on him by this section, shall be met by the parking authority.".

(8) In subsection (11) for "The Secretary of State" substitute "The Scottish Ministers".

(9) In subsection (12)-

(a)in each of paragraphs (i) and (j) for "costs" substitute "expenses"; and

(b)in paragraph (j) for "county" substitute "sheriff".

(10) In subsection (15) for the words from "if a" to the end substitute "be recoverable by the person to whom the amount is payable as if it were payable under an extract registered decree arbitral bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff court for any sheriffdom in Scotland".

(11) In subsection (17) for "Joint Committee", in each place where it occurs, substitute "parking authority".

(12) In subsection (18)-

(a)for "Joint Committee" substitute "parking authority"; and

(b)for "the Secretary of State" substitute "the Scottish Ministers".

5.  For section 74 substitute-

"Fixing of certain parking and other charges for parking area

74.-(1) It shall be the duty of the parking authority to set the levels of additional parking charges to apply in the parking area.

(2) Different levels may be set for different parts of the parking area.

(3) The levels of additional parking charges set by the parking authority under this section shall accord with any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers whether such guidance is given specifically to the parking authority or to local authorities generally.

(4) Any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers under subsection (3) above may be varied at any time by them.

(5) The parking authority must publish, in such manner as the Scottish Ministers may determine, the levels of additional parking charges which have been set under this section.

(6) In this section "additional parking charges" means penalty charges, charges made by the parking authority for the removal, storage and disposal of vehicles and charges for the release of vehicles from immobilisation devices fixed under section 69 of this Act.".

6.-(1) Section 82 is modified as follows.

(2) For subsection (1) substitute-

"(1) In this section and sections 66, 69 to 74 and 79 and schedule 6 of this Act(5)-

"hiring agreement" and "vehicle‑hire firm" have the same meanings as in section 66 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988(6);

"immobilisation device" has the same meaning as in section 104(9) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984(7);

"parking area" means the area designated as a permitted parking area and a special parking area by the Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (Highland Council) Designation Order 2016(8);

"parking attendant" has the same meaning as in section 63A(9) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

"parking authority" means-

"penalty charge" means a penalty charge which is payable by virtue of paragraph 3(1) and (2) of schedule 3 of this Act;

"prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers; and

"traffic commissioner" means the traffic commissioner appointed for the Scottish Traffic Area under section 4 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981(11).".

(3) In subsection (5) for "London authority concerned" substitute "parking authority".

(4) In subsection (6) for "a Minister of the Crown" substitute "the Scottish Ministers".

(5) In subsection (7) for "either House of Parliament" substitute "the Scottish Parliament".

7.-(1) Schedule 6 is modified as follows.

(2) In paragraph 1(1) for "London authority concerned" substitute "parking authority".

(3) In paragraph 2-

(a)in subparagraph (1) for the words from "London" to the end substitute "parking authority";

(b)in subparagraph (2) for the words from "such" to the end substitute "writing";

(c)in subparagraph (3) after "The", where it first occurs, insert "parking";

(d)in subparagraph (4)(c) for "place" substitute "area"; and

(e)in subparagraph (7) for "an authority to whom representations are duly made" substitute "the parking authority when representations are duly made to it".

(4) In paragraph 3(1) and (2) for "London authority concerned", in each place where it occurs, substitute "parking authority".

(5) In paragraph 4-

(a)For "London authority concerned" substitute "parking authority";

(b)in subparagraph (b), for "costs" substitute "expenses"; and

(c)for "authority consider appropriate" substitute "parking authority consider appropriate".

(6) In paragraph 5-

(a)in subparagraph (1)-

(i)for "an authority" substitute "the parking authority"; and

(ii)for "authority's decision" substitute "parking authority's decision";

(b)in subparagraph (2) for "London authority concerned" substitute "parking authority"; and

(c)in subparagraph (3) for the words from "any" to the end substitute "the parking authority to comply with any direction given to it under subparagraph (2) above".

(7) In paragraph 6-

(a)in subparagraph (1) for "authority serving the notice" substitute "parking authority"; and

(b)in subparagraph (2)(b)(ii) for "authority concerned" substitute "parking authority".

(8) In paragraph 7 for the words from "authority concerned" to the end substitute "parking authority may recover the increased charge as if the charge certificate were an extract registered decree arbitral bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff court in any sheriffdom in Scotland".

(9) Omit paragraph 8.

Article 5

SCHEDULE 3MODIFICATIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

1.  In section 46(1A)(12) for "Greater London" substitute "the parking area".

2.-(1) Section 55 is modified as follows.

(2) For subsection (1) substitute-

"(1) A local authority must keep an account-

(a)of their income and expenditure in respect of designated parking places for which they are the local authority and which are in the permitted parking area; and

(b)of their income from additional parking charges (as defined in section 74(6) of the Road Traffic Act 1991) received by them in respect of vehicles found within the special parking area and the expenditure incurred by them in relation to that area by virtue of any provision of Part II of the Road Traffic Act 1991 as it applies in relation to that area.

(1A) As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year, the local authority must send to the Scottish Ministers a copy of the account for that year.".

(3) Omit subsections (3A) and (3B)(13).

3.  In section 63A(4)(14)-

(a)for "Greater London", where it first occurs, substitute "the parking area"; and

(b)for "Greater London Authority" substitute "Scottish Ministers".

4.-(1) Section 101 is modified as follows.

(2) Omit subsection (4).

(3) In subsection (4A)(15) for "Greater London" substitute "the parking area".

(4) Omit subsection (5).

(5) In subsection (5A)(16) for "Greater London" substitute "the parking area".

5.-(1) Section 102 is modified as follows.

(2) For subsection (1) substitute-

"(1) If a vehicle is removed by the local authority in circumstances in which an offence would have been committed but for the provisions of paragraph 1(4) or 2(4) of schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1991, the local authority will be entitled to recover from any persons responsible such charges in respect of the removal, storage and disposal of the vehicle as they may require.".

(3) Omit subsections (2) and (3).

(4) For subsection (4) substitute-

"(4) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, where any sum is recoverable in respect of a vehicle by a local authority in whose custody the vehicle is, the local authority shall be entitled to retain custody of it until that sum has been paid.".

(5) In subsection (5) for "an authority" substitute "the local authority".

(6) Omit subsections (6) and (7).

(7) In subsection (8), in paragraph (b) of the definition of "appropriate authority", for the words "outside Greater London" substitute "within the parking area".

6.  In section 134 for the references to "the Secretary of State" substitute references to "the Scottish Ministers" and for the references to "each House of Parliament" substitute references to "the Scottish Parliament".

7.  In section 142(1)-

(a)after the definition of "owner" insert-

""parking area" means the area designated as a permitted parking area and a special parking area by the Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (Highland Council) Designation Order 2016; and "permitted parking area" and "special parking area" are to be read accordingly;"; and

(b)in the definition of "prescribed" for "the Secretary of State" substitute "the Scottish Ministers".

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order extends to the area of Highland Council, arrangements for enforcing parking controls already available in London and certain other areas in England and in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeen, Dundee, South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Fife, East Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute, and Inverclyde.

The Order designates Highland local government area (with certain specified exceptions) as a permitted parking area and as a special parking area in accordance with schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 ("the 1991 Act"). The Order applies, to the designated area, various provisions of the 1991 Act and modifies them where necessary. It also makes consequential modifications to certain provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 ("the 1984 Act") dealing with parking and related matters.

While the Order is in force, certain specified offences will be decriminalised: for example, in the case of the permitted parking area, breaches of orders relating to free on‑street parking places and in the case of the special parking area orders prohibiting or restricting waiting, loading and unloading.

Enforcement will be carried out by parking attendants provided under section 63A of the 1984 Act. A system of parking adjudicators will deal with disputes.