The return of traffic wardens to Dumfries and Galloway streets may still be over a year away as the council has yet to submit an application for decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE) to Transport Scotland. Councillors had previously approved DPE proposals in April, allowing for the potential return of wardens to issue tickets to drivers. The next step in the process is submitting the application to Transport Scotland, a step that could take up to 12 months to be approved.
Scotland’s Finance Minister, Shona Robison, confirmed that the council has not yet lodged the DPE application and is unlikely to do so until December. The timeline for Transport Scotland to make a decision on the application was discussed when South Scotland MSP Emma Harper raised the issue of DPE as a revenue stream for councils. While Ms. Robison highlighted ongoing discussions between Transport Scotland and the council, she noted that it typically takes around 12 months to implement DPE powers due to the necessary statutory processes.
A council spokesman stated that the formal DPE application is expected to be submitted to Scottish Ministers by December. Plans involve deploying six traffic wardens across the region once DPE is introduced, with no parking charges initially. The income target for the scheme is set at £412,781 for 2025/26 to cover costs, including warden salaries and implementation. This target is expected to reduce to £309,586 annually once the scheme is fully operational.
Decriminalised parking enforcement aims not only to generate revenue but also to address illegal parking and improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The council’s regional parking strategy and action plan, including the DPE approach, were approved by the communities committee in April. Discussions with Transport Scotland continue, and once the application is submitted and approved, the council can proceed with the implementation of DPE to regulate parking in the region.