FINES could finally be dished out to drivers flouting the rules and not buying tickets at Colchester park and ride... four-and-a-half-years after it opened.

Essex County Council has launched a consultation on a new Traffic Regulation Order for the park and ride site, which is just off junction 28 of the A12.

If rubber stamped, the new order would officially introduce pay and display charges on the whole area, meaning Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) could be handed out to drivers who ignore the rules and try and park free of charge.

Earlier this year the Gazette revealed many motorists were dodging the fees as parking rules at the site have never been enforced.

However updates to the parking system and the move to electronic system MiPermit led to the council warning of enforcement measures for those “abusing” the rules.

The new order will allow County Hall to dish out fines in a bid to stop some drivers, such as Colchester United fans, from using the car park for free then accessing other services nearby.

A report states: “Due to the proximity of Colchester park and ride site to Colchester stadium, often on events days the car park is used as an overflow parking area for the stadium.

“This can lead to a lack of spaces in the park and ride car park, and therefore can prevent proper use of the park and ride service.

“The pay to park restriction is being proposed at this site to prevent the park and ride car park from being a free parking facility in the vicinity of Colchester stadium, allowing for a more efficient use of the park and ride facility in Colchester.”

A parking only ticket costs £3 a day, the same as a standard park and ride bus ticket.

Those who use the bus to access the town centre, station or hospital will not have to buy a separate parking ticket as well a permit to travel.

Civil Enforcement Officers will enforce the parking rules and issue PCNs.

A fee of £28 is also set to be introduced to release a trapped vehicle from the car park if drivers overstay their welcome once the site closes.

Anyone who wishes to object to the order should write to TRO Comments, Network Assurance, A2 Annexe, Seax House, Victoria Road South, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QH or e-mail TrafficRegulation.Order@essexhighways.org quoting reference TRAF/7106.

The consultation closes on January 17.