Plan to use wardens to end parking ‘chaos’

Angus: Scheme will see council tackle ‘irresponsible driving’ as it takes over enforcement role from police

We could be making a fortune that will keep us running for a number of years, the amount of irrespons– ible drivers wehaveat the moment.

Angus councillors have shown their intent to put a stop to parking “chaos” in the county by approving the use of community wardens to issue tickets.

Two new wardens will be employed under the plans and the team will be able to issue £60 fines to people who park on single and double yellow lines. They will also be able to ticket people who overstay the time limit on parking spaces.

The plans were given the go-ahead at yesterday’s policy and resources committee and will be submitted to Scottish ministers for approval.

A member officer group came up with the plans following the withdrawal of police from enforcing parking offences, and frequent complaints to councillors about the amount of illegal parking in towns in Angus.

The council stated it is not a moneymaking scheme, but something being introduced to influence driver behaviour. It is estimated that taking on the enforcement role will cost the council more than £50,000 a year.

However, Arbroath Councillor David Fairweather claimed the amount of bad parking in Angus could see the council “make a fortune”. He said: “Chaos is the right word for the current situation – only this morning, I had people in Arbroath complaining about the car park in the High Street.

“When people think there are going to be wardens, they will start to act responsibly.

“We could be making a fortune that will keep us running for a number of years, the amount of irresponsible driving we have at the moment.”

Montrose councillor Bill Duff, who was part of the member officer group, said: “I think it’s a good result. It looks like we will be able to do something about it without charging for parking, which none of us wants to see.”

As part of the submission to the Scottish Government, a clause gives the council the option to introduce parking charges in the future.

Carnoustie councillor Bill Bowles suggested an amendment that this clause be dropped, which was seconded by Councillor David Fairweather.

Strategic director Alan McKeown said the clause showed the council “was looking at all options, that we are managing this effectively and that we are balancing our budgets”. A vote on the amendment was defeated by 10 votes to five and the clause will remain in the submission.

Mr Bowles also suggested the fine be increased from £60 to £100 so the scheme could be self-financing. But Mr Duff told him the advice given to the member officer group was that £60 was the maximum that can be imposed under legislation. The fines will be halved if people pay promptly.

The business case to the Scottish Government will be submitted in February and approval will likely take around nine months.

COUNCILLOR DAVID FAIRWEATHER