Parking attendants replaced Sussex Police traffic wardens on the streets of Worthing today (Monday Sept 10) as Local Authority Parking Enforcement – LAPE – was launched.

But West Sussex County Council and Worthing Borough Council both stressed that drivers who park properly and legally will notice no change – other than easier access to parking spaces and less congestion caused by illegal parking.

LAPE has been launched to bring about safer, less congested streets through a greater level of enforcement than the police had been able to provide.

It will also ensure that parking bays designed for short-term shopping trips throughout the Borough, and disabled parking provision is not abused.

The County Council and Borough Council also say that a greater uniform presence on the streets will act as a deterrent to crime.

Lieutenant Colonel Tex Pemberton, West Sussex Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said today: “There is a need for a greater level of enforcement to make sure that Worthing has safe, uncluttered streets, so that traffic can keep on the move.

“I am confident that the new levels of enforcement will be welcomed by many traders across the Borough because we will be able to target areas where people have been parking all day in bays designed for short term shopping trips.”

Keith Mercer, Leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: "I would just like to explain that the new service is not based on issuing as many tickets as possible so that lots of income is generated. 

“In fact the scheme is run on a self financing basis.  If any extra money does become available the County Local Committee will spend it on local environmental/transport improvements."

LAPE is to be operated under contract to Worthing Borough Council by NCP Services.

It will see an average 21 parking attendants a day deployed across the borough, compared with around 12 traffic wardens that Sussex Police were able to provide, and who worked only in the town's Controlled Parking Zone.

James Graydon, Regional Manager of NCP Services, said: “We are delighted to be working with Worthing Borough Council and West Sussex County Council to deliver this important public service.

“Properly managed parking regulations reduce congestion, improve road safety, and are a great boon to disabled drivers, public transport, and pedestrians.”

A temporary parking shop providing a full information and payment service for the new parking scheme can be found in the High Street car park at Worthing.

LAPE has already been successfully running in the Mid Sussex and Horsham Districts since January 2006.