Kentish Express Ashford & District
Extra parking wardens may buzz your way sooner
Parking wardens could soon be zooming around on electric bikes after the council announced a plan to boost enforcement.
Ashford Borough Council currently (ABC) employs eight full-time wardens and one part time warden, but is preparing to recruit four more to its ranks.
Council officers Jo Fox and Mike Cook say the new recruits could help the authority bring in a further £160,000 per year in parking fines.
In their report, they have called on the council’s Cabinet members to approve plans to take on the wardens, and to take on extra staff to hear appeals and administration.
They estimate that the new wardens will cost the council £150,000 each year, while training will cost £15,000.
Cllr Brad Bradford, ABC’s portfolio holder for highways, said the report into the council’s car parking enforcement was “long overdue” and said that he welcomes the increase in the numbers of wardens.
He said: “I welcome the propos- als within the report to ensure that the staffing is at a level that is fit for purpose for the growth within the borough.”
Wardens will be using four new electric Sonata Commuter Series bicycles to help them get around the council car parks faster.
ABC spokesman Christina Bailey said: “The bikes will primarily aid our officers in their day to day patrols, in particular when they are travelling long distances to reach outlying residential areas or cover large businesses parks, or if they are required to cycle uphill.
“It is intended that one of the bikes will be based at Tenterden to enable more effective patrolling of St Michael’s and its outlying areas. We will also continue to use the standard pedal bikes.”
The plans for the bikes will be discussed by the council’s Cabinet committee at a meeting tonight (Thursday) at 7pm at the Civic Centre in Tannery Lane.
Would you welcome an increase in the number of traffic wardens or has Ashford borough already got enough? Email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk or write to Express House, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR.