Control was restored to the streets of St Albans yesterday as St Albans City and District Council took over the on-street parking enforcement under the powers of the 1991 Act.  The lack of parking controls in the city in recent months following the withdrawal of police enforcement had attracted considerable media interest and so a smooth and timely launch was critical.  Cobalt's proven telephone payment service was selected as a critical part of the new enforcement regime and accepted payment of the first parking ticket less than 12 hours after the official launch.