Big changes on parking
Express and Star
The Chronicle
Mar 17, 2006
Parking in Stafford borough is set to be decriminalised after leading councillors backed plans to take on the responsibility of enforcing fines from the police.
The county-wide scheme, which is expected to cost £400,000 to set up, would begin in the autumn next year and could also lead to a residents' parking permit system.
In recent months many people living near Stafford town centre, and in particular the railway station, have complained of commuters clogging up their narrow streets.
At a meeting of Stafford Borough Council's cabinet on Tuesday, member for planning Councillor Doug Davis, said that a residents' permit scheme was now a possibility.
"The process of starting to look at areas for residents' parking zones would start early," he said.
"We will have to consult with the residents without a doubt.
"All in all it is a good thing for the borough."
Leader of the council Judith Dalgarno, added: "It is the opportunity now to address that situation because it is really bad in some areas."
But a report to the council said that the introduction of residents' parking zones would require a high level of enforcement and such a resource would not be available until after the introduction of the decriminalised scheme.
It is believed that the new decriminalised system will require 11 additional parking attendants as well as administration and management staff.
Councillor Davis said he wanted the parking attendants to become the eyes and ears of the council in areas other than just parking.
Litter and dog fouling were matters which the wardens would be capable of dealing with, he added.
"It enables us to have wardens out in the districts — it means we have 11 more people out helping us," he said.
His views were echoed by the member for resources Councillor Mike Heenan.
He said: "We will have people walking the streets looking to see if things are wrong.
"In my ward there are lots of road signs that are dirty or bent.
"The whole street scene will be kept under observation. I see that as the biggest benefit of all."
The estimated £400,000 cost of setting up the scheme is due to be spent on ‘one-off' costs such as painting yellow lines and plotting their locations onto a digital map.
It is possible that these costs will be recouped from individual councils across the county with Stafford Borough Council expecting to pay £77,920.
The council estimates that it will get an extra £31,000 per year from increased use of its car parks, but Councillor Davis said the figure could rise to as high as £50,000 per year.
The Chronicle
Mar 17, 2006
Parking in Stafford borough is set to be decriminalised after leading councillors backed plans to take on the responsibility of enforcing fines from the police.
The county-wide scheme, which is expected to cost £400,000 to set up, would begin in the autumn next year and could also lead to a residents' parking permit system.
In recent months many people living near Stafford town centre, and in particular the railway station, have complained of commuters clogging up their narrow streets.
At a meeting of Stafford Borough Council's cabinet on Tuesday, member for planning Councillor Doug Davis, said that a residents' permit scheme was now a possibility.
"The process of starting to look at areas for residents' parking zones would start early," he said.
"We will have to consult with the residents without a doubt.
"All in all it is a good thing for the borough."
Leader of the council Judith Dalgarno, added: "It is the opportunity now to address that situation because it is really bad in some areas."
But a report to the council said that the introduction of residents' parking zones would require a high level of enforcement and such a resource would not be available until after the introduction of the decriminalised scheme.
It is believed that the new decriminalised system will require 11 additional parking attendants as well as administration and management staff.
Councillor Davis said he wanted the parking attendants to become the eyes and ears of the council in areas other than just parking.
Litter and dog fouling were matters which the wardens would be capable of dealing with, he added.
"It enables us to have wardens out in the districts — it means we have 11 more people out helping us," he said.
His views were echoed by the member for resources Councillor Mike Heenan.
He said: "We will have people walking the streets looking to see if things are wrong.
"In my ward there are lots of road signs that are dirty or bent.
"The whole street scene will be kept under observation. I see that as the biggest benefit of all."
The estimated £400,000 cost of setting up the scheme is due to be spent on ‘one-off' costs such as painting yellow lines and plotting their locations onto a digital map.
It is possible that these costs will be recouped from individual councils across the county with Stafford Borough Council expecting to pay £77,920.
The council estimates that it will get an extra £31,000 per year from increased use of its car parks, but Councillor Davis said the figure could rise to as high as £50,000 per year.
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