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In this Issue

	UK Opposes Cross-border Road Safety Directive
	Transport Debated at UK Party Conferences
	SPARKS Network Active from November
	About SPARKS
	Legal Disclaimer
	Data Privacy
	Feedback

In Other News

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Welcome to the October 2008 SPARKS online newsletter, which highlights issues impacting enforcement of decriminalised penalty charge notices in the UK and other EU member states. We hope you find this relevant and useful in your role.

UK Opposes Cross-border Road Safety Directive

UK government representatives were among member states opposing the cross-border road safety directive during the second round debate in the Transport Council’s October meeting in Luxembourg.

Along with several other national transport ministers, the UK said it believes the directive should be created under the third pillar as an intergovernmental measure. Such an approach excludes the European Parliament from the legislation process, and would block the European Commission’s current initiative.

The UK stance contrasts with an assurance that the government did support the directive, given by road safety minister, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, during the Tispol Conference earlier on 30 September.

SPARKS is now questioning how serious the British government is about enforcing safe driving legislation against vehicles owners from other EU member states.

Read more about SPARKS concerns.

Transport Debated at UK Party Conferences

Transport was a key topic at the three party conferences during September.  Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat transport representatives all set out fresh initiatives including national road pricing, new high speed rail links, increased powers for local authorities and changes in use of TIF money.

Highlights of transport debates at the UK party conferences

SPARKS Network Active from November

SPARKS Network members are beginning to work together to develop an effective EU cross border traffic enforcement regime.

They are joining an association that already has the ear of UK and EU politicians and officials and has successfully influenced new legislation including the cross-border road safety directive and the UK’s Local Transport Bill.

Planned activities include new EC-funded research to develop a model for collecting penalties across borders, working groups, conferences and seminars, and sharing best practice between members.

For more information on the SPARKS Network including how to become a member click here

About SPARKS

The SPARKS Programme is an initiative that enables local authorities in the UK and EU member states to collaborate in resolving the issue of cross-border enforcement of civil traffic contraventions.

Our objective is for traffic enforcement to be equally effective against all vehicles irrespective of nationality. Aims include identifying legislative solutions, increasing awareness of the issues within government, working with local authorities to seek common solutions and gathering data to build a coherent picture of the size and impact of the issue.

Find out more about SPARKS

Legal Disclaimer

The SPARKS Programme works hard to ensure that information on our websites are up-to-date and accurate and that applications function correctly.

Our terms and conditions

Data Privacy

The SPARKS Programme will treat any personal information that you provide to us in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

We will not share any of your personal information with third parties unless it is in response to a lawful request for information such as a court order, witness summons, or complaint from a government authority. Your personal information will also not be sold to third parties.

Privacy policy

Feedback

We welcome your views on this ezine, which should be addressed to the editor Jo Ann Sweeney at jo.ann@sweeneyuk.com