Car News

New powers being introduced by the government could benefit Car Finance customers by keeping traffic moving and reducing disruption to journeys, ministers claim.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is providing new powers to parking enforcement officials and giving councils increased control over which roads are dug up in their areas.

By providing councils with greater power to co-ordinate street works, ministers hope that the measures will reduce delays and congestion caused by road works, enhancing conditions for road users, residents and local businesses.

The new powers are coming into force as part of the Traffic Management Act and require councils to tackle parking behaviour that causes greatest disruption to road users, but stress that authorities should not use parking enforcement as a tool for raising revenue or set targets for the number of tickets issued.

Rosie Winterton, UK transport minister, said: "Ongoing roadworks and unclear parking enforcement are among road users' biggest concerns. These new powers are designed to tackle both issues and are a key part of the government's strategy to tackle congestion and keep traffic moving."

Disruption caused by street works costs the UK economy an estimated £4.9 billion each year and frustrates drivers.

As part of efforts to tackle congestion and delays, transport secretary Ruth Kelly opened the first motorway car share lane this month ahead of the Easter bank holiday rush. Located between Leeds and Bradford, the 1.7 miles lane is intended to encourage car pooling.

More from   Motoring