Lib Dems make breakthrough on Parking Wardens (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems make breakthrough on Parking Wardens

March 19, 2006 7:55 PM

Residents in Waverley will soon benefit from safer, less congested streets following agreement that Waverley Borough Council will take over control of enforcing the street parking regulations made by Surrey County Council.

From early 2007, the streets will be patrolled by Waverley's parking contractors who will issue fines to drivers of vehicles that are parked incorrectly.

Speaking about the new arrangement, Peter Maudsley, Waverley's director of environment and leisure says: "Waverley Borough Council and Surrey County Council have worked hard to reach a satisfactory agreement on how best to achieve the enforcement of on street parking. We believe that we have an arrangement that is robust and will enable us to fulfil our aim of responding more quickly to areas where inconsiderate parking is causing major problems."

He added: "Our parking contractor will also target short-stay parking bays to make sure they are not monopolised by all-day parkers. This action will allow a higher number of people to visit the borough's shopping areas and to park for short periods of time in the convenient town centre spaces."

Income generated from parking enforcement will be used by Surrey County Council to meet the running costs of the scheme. Although it is not anticipated that the scheme will be self-financing, any surplus will be ploughed back into public transport and parking facilities.

Commenting on the preparations for the new arrangements, Bob Moodie, Surrey's area transport director says: "We are very pleased to have agreed a timetable for the introduction of this new arrangement. The first stage of the preparations will involve us seeking approval of the proposal from the government's department for transport, which can take several months.

In the meantime, we will be repainting the yellow lines and renewing parking signs across the borough to ensure that restrictions are clearly marked for the motorist and that the parking attendants can enforce them. Until the department for transport has approved the new enforcement arrangements, only the police can issue and enforce on-street parking fines."

It is strongly believed by both Peter Maudsley and Bob Moodie that there is growing concern about inconsiderate and illegal parking in the borough and that by tackling the issue, residents, shoppers and visitors will benefit from a reduction in congestion and improved pedestrian safety in Waverley's towns and villages.