Parking fines total 3,000 weekly

Version 0 of 1.

Traffic wardens have been issuing parking tickets in NI at the rate of almost 3,000 a week, Department of Regional Development figures show.

Over 145,000 illegal parkers have received tickets since the department became responsible for parking enforcement in October last year.

A spokesman said the belief that wardens were paid bonuses was not true.

The top town for parking offenders was Belfast with 38,000 with Londonderry second with 17,000.

Wardens from the NCP working on behalf of the DRD took the job of issuing parking tickets in November last year.

'Encourage'

Simon Richardson of the DRD said the only reason tickets were issued was because drivers continued to park illegally.

"Our aim is not to issue tickets but rather to encourage people to park properly," he said.

NCP Services handed out 143,564 tickets between 13 November 2006 and 30 September 2007.

More than 5,000 warning notices were also issued in the two weeks prior.

Mr Richardson said: "Illegal parking causes disruption to traffic and sometimes poses a safety threat to road users.

"It can also cause major difficulties for blue badge (disabled) holders and delivery drivers trying to deliver their goods.

"I would therefore encourage all drivers to be aware of the parking restrictions and abide by them at all times."

The penalty charge for a parking ticket is Â£60 reduced to Â£30 if paid within 14 days of receiving the ticket.