APCOA to enforce on-street parking in Gloucestershire
A private contractor is to take over parking enforcement from the six district councils of Gloucestershire.
The Conservative-led county council said the move will give a more consistent approach to enforcement and offer better value for money.
APCOA Parking UK Ltd will start issuing tickets, deal with queries and manage appeals from next April.
Gloucestershire County Council will continue to be responsible for decision-making about parking.
A spokesman denied the contract was a money-making exercise and said the contractor will not be incentivised to issue parking tickets.
"The scheme will lead to greater flexibility and consistency, and free up money to be invested in parking, roads and local transport," he added.
The new arrangements will begin across the county in April 2013, with the exception of Gloucester and the Forest of Dean which will adopt the new scheme in September 2014 subject to further discussions.