Traffic warden service crisis looms

Traffic warden service crisis looms 23/9/14

Chaotic parking in Stornoway town centre is feared as the Western Isles’ only traffic warden is set to go.

Police Scotland axed the service across the country to save money, insisting it is the responsibility of local councils to monitor bad parking.

A temporary arrangement to split the traffic warden costs between Western Isles Council and the police ends in six months.

But the Comhaire says it will not have either the resources nor the legal authority in place by then.

It wants the police to keep on paying £12,500, about half the cost of operating the traffic warden’s service until it sorts out a plan.

Income from the town’s Perceval Square pay and display carpark presently pays for the council’s share of the warden’s service.

But the Comhairle itself has “limited powers to enforce payment” from carpark users, reveals a council report.

In any case, employing a council parking warden will “far exceed the potential income” from the carpark.

One option is to do nothing and let motorists leave their cars wherever they want.

This means blocked roads and traffic snarl-ups would have to be dealt with by police officers, says the council.

Another way is for the council to directly employ its own parking enforcement officers.

But seeking the legal powers could cost up to £160,000 and take two years to deliver.

In addition, processing fines and an appeal system means added expense.

In a draft letter to police chief constable, Sir Stephen House, the council pleads for more time.

Malcolm Burr, council chief executive highlights: “It is unlikely the council will have the powers to enforce parking by April 2015.”

The council fears repeat of scenes when the islands’ only traffic warden was withdrawn earlier this year.

In Stornoway, a parking free-for-all resulted in vehicles being left on pavements or on double yellow lines.

In addition, motorists freely drove along pedestrian precincts.

There was nobody official to control traffic for funeral processions nor at busy periods when the ferry traffic hit the streets during the lunchtime rush.

The local traffic warden went back on patrol around the town centre under a temporary u-turn.

However, time is rapidly running out for the arrangement and the Comhairle has yet to get a long term plan organised.

Western Isles councillors will discuss the problem later this week