Traffic Wardens

[Scylax]

We need them, and i'm being serious.

In the town where I live, there are none, and the police have no interest in parking problems. Ergo, park where you wish, esp. on double yellow lines.
Disabled parking bays are taken by commercial vehicles and cars with no blue badges. Who cares ?

One traffic warden could earn his month's salary in about 2 hours here, but such worthies haven't been seen for years. Any answers ?

[bhg481]

I have no beef with trafic wardens - thet are there to ensure that everyone gets a fair share of parking. Only people who cheat object to them.

[Kathyan]

I don't have a problem with parking wardens either, especially if they catch people parking in disabled bays without a badge. Fine them the £1000 and no excuses. As you say they could earn their wages easily!

[TWR]

Traffic Wardens, should use their discretion and a lot do not, instead of getting the book out observe the car instead of jumping to get the book out, they would get more respect from the motorist if they done that.

[Buenchico]

Has parking been 'decriminalised' in your town, Scylax?

In many areas local councils have taken over control of routine parking enforcement, using either their own staff or contractors to take on the role previously done by traffic wardens. In such areas the police (or traffic wardens acting on behalf of the police) no longer have any powers to deal with parking violations unless, for example, an obstruction is being caused. Parking control services run by local authorities often prove to be self-funding, so perhaps you campaign to get your local council to take over parking matters. (If they've already done so then ask them why they're not using their powers to their full extent).

My two local towns have different approaches:
In Ipswich, parking has been decriminalised and the local authority employs (extremely active!) staff to look after parking matters. The system seems to work well there.

In Stowmarket, Mid-Suffolk District Council has chosen not to decriminalise parking violations. However Suffolk Police employ PCSOs with 'Traffic' flashes on their shoulders, specifically to look after parking matters (while also performing other PCSO duties when required). Again the system seem to work well.

Find out who is responsible for parking matters in your area (the police or the local authority) and then campaign, through your local councillors, for some improvements.

[boxtops]

All I can add is that the parking wardens round here are extremely vigilant - most of us are on residents' parking permits in the street, and they are on us like a shot if the permits aren't right, and they also monitor on-street PAYG parking all the time.

[Scylax]

Thank you all for your interest and cogent replies.
I don't think traffic violations have been decriminalised in my town; they just appear to be of no interest. or perhaps occasioning too much paperwork. Either way, parking is a local pantomime, but nobody is laughing.
It is odd, since in nearby Cardiff and Newport parking rules are enforced
and woe betide any transgressor. Seemingly, the Valleys are not worth bothering about however, and protestations go unheeded. C'est la vie....

[BlueToffee]

When Traffic Wardens came under the control of local police authorities they had much more discretion as the funds that were raised went straight to the exchequer.

Now the job has been decriminalised and taken over by local councils, they have to make a profit or up go the Council Tax bills. Wardens too seem to have had any heart they had taken away, there is no reasoning with them at all.

Not saying that illegal parking should go unpunished, but there are extenuating circumstances in some instances that could be discussed between the driver and the warden. Sadly though, their brief seems to be, issue as many tickets as you can and let's see how much we can make.

Little wonder high streets up and down the land are struggling. I live not too far away from Meadowhall, park for free and shop under cover in comfort for all your needs. And the BIG bonus........NO Traffic Wardens!