Softly-softly start to parking purge

The long-awaited return of traffic wardens did not lead to a rush of tickets being issued.

But motorists have been warned that, from Monday, excuses will no longer be accepted.

Civil enforcement officers with the Notts Parking Partnership this week returned to the streets of Newark and Sherwood but adopted a softly-softly approach to issuing £70 and £50 fines.

They were under instructions to educate rather than penalise those who parked illegally.

Fewer than 100 tickets had been issued in Newark from when the wardens started on Monday up to Wednesday afternoon.

Drivers seen close to illegally parked cars were given warnings. Vehicles left for lengthy periods were ticketed.

Two wardens patrol Newark daily and another covers the rest of the district.

Extra wardens are available for special events and were drafted in for yesterday’s filming of the Antiques Roadshow at Southwell Minster.

Mr Jim Besson, Newark and Sherwood District Council’s community services manager, said drivers may have become complacent in the three years since traffic wardens were last on the streets.

He said the honeymoon period was about to be replaced by a get-tough policy.

“Next week we want to see some improvement in the congestion on our streets,” said Mr Besson

The council’s markets and carparks manager, Mr Craig Black, said he thought the message was getting through that the parking free-for-all was at an end.

He said more tradesmen were applying for parking restriction exemptions while they were working.

Vehicles displaying only homemade signs saying the drivers are working at premises nearby are breaking the law.

The contract manager for NCP in Nottinghamshire, Mr Steve Roe, said the wardens’ return had been broadly welcomed by the public.

There had been a few harsh words, but the wardens were trained to defuse such situations rather than inflame them.

He said there was a grievance procedure for anyone contesting a ticket.

Police traffic wardens were withdrawn from service three years ago to be retrained as community support officers.

Apart from infrequent purges the police have issued tickets only for vehicles causing an obstruction.

Fines are now incurred by people who park on yellow lines when waiting or loading restrictions apply, who stay beyond the limit in a short-stay space, park at a bus-stop or bus or cycle lane during prohibited hours, or in a loading bay, space for disabled people or a taxi rank unless authorised, or break any other parking restriction.

People who park on single or double yellow lines face £70 fines.

Those who commit less serious offences, such as staying for longer than allowed, pay £50.

Both penalties are reduced by half if paid within 14 days.

The areas of Newark where parking causes most concern are Middlegate, Castlegate, the junction of Appletongate and Barnbygate, the Market Place and Cartergate.