Clamp on traffic wardens demanded

Kashif Ali

Tories call for shake-up over parking ‘misery’

RADICAL reforms to the borough’s parking rules have been proposed in a bid to clamp down on “out of control” traffic wardens.

Oldham East and Saddleworth Conservatives have taken up the cause of local residents who claim that traffic wardens are making drivers’ lives a misery by not applying common sense when dishing out tickets.

The Conservatives have proposed a series of controversial changes which include:

::A mandatory five-minute grace period for all those parking on yellow lines or otherwise breaching parking rules before a ticket can be issued.

::Traffic wardens not being allowed to display issued tickets if the driver is returning or has returned to their vehicle.

::Parking fines to be halved if paid within 28 days instead of 14 days.

::The overall level of fines to be halved with immediate effect.

::Free boroughwide parking for those attending blood donation sessions.

They also want an immediate 10 per cent cut in traffic wardens, and a review of the commission they receive as well as their remuneration package.

Last month, the Oldham Evening Chronicle reported how Delph blood donor Jane Riley was slapped with a parking fine after returning to her car six minutes late from a donor session.

Oldham Council originally refused to revoke her fine but, following publicity in the newspaper, officers waived the fine as their original letter outlining the refusal had been wrongly sent out.

Kashif Ali, speaking on behalf of Oldham East and Saddleworth Conservatives, said the council has refused to offer free civic centre parking when blood donation sessions are on — despite repeated calls from donors.

Mr Ali said: “This is just another example of a bureaucratic, badly-run council forgetting it is there to serve the local community, and not the other way around.

“Everyone’s had enough of traffic wardens who have gone too far.

“We want to introduce a degree of accountability, fairness and most of all common sense into the system.”

Councillor John McCann, Cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “The level of a penalty charge notice and the discount period is set within legislation — this can only be changed through an Act of Parliament.

“Civil enforcement officers in Oldham do not and will never receive any type of bonus for issuing a penalty notice, nor are they nor ever will be set targets on the number that must be issued per day.

“With regard to Mrs Riley’s parking notice that was waived following further investigation by our parking officers.

“The civic centre has a public car park and it would not be possible for free parking to be offered when blood donation sessions are taking place, as the civil enforcement officers are unable to ascertain which vehicles are taking part in the sessions.

“Giving blood is a very worthwhile gesture. If anyone is attending future sessions I would suggest you contact the blood donation service to inquire if free parking could be arranged at the Integrated Care Centre.”