Fresh bid to crack down on illegal parking throughout the county
A SCHEME to clampdown on illegal parking in the county is to be resurrected on Monday.
As reported in the Echo, the introduction of civil parking enforcement in Lincolnshire was thwarted last month after East Lindsey District failed to come to an agreement with Lincolnshire's six other district councils and county council.
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For the past six months Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire County Council have been in talks with the Department for Transport about taking the responsibility of parking reinforcement away from the police.
It was mooted that a £1.4m deal for the councils to take control of parking from the police would see cash spent on traffic wardens to patrol the streets as well as an increase in residents' parking schemes.
But on Monday the county council is relaunching its bid to strike an agreement with the seven district councils in order to crack down on illegal parking throughout the county.
Three options will be put to members of its Highways, Transport and Technology Scrutiny Committee, the favoured one being a new agreement with all seven of the district councils.
Most residents seem in favour of the new system being introduced.
Bracebridge Heath resident Michael Randles says a desperate overhaul is needed for parking in Lincoln's city centre.
Mr Randles's 84-year-old mother Nancy Sampson lives in Gaunt Street, off Lincoln's High Street and says that illegally parked cars make it difficult for ambulances to travel along the congested road.
"Because of the high cost of council-provided car parks in the city basically what is happening is that the residents don't get an opportunity to park outside their houses," said Mr Randles.
"People are parking on both sides of the road and blocking the paths in the Gaunt Street area which is a real problem with emergency vehicles considering the number of elderly people too."
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by Polly Potter-Kettleon, Lincs
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 5:29PM
“One day of ticketing outside all the schools in Lincs would double the council's income.
The school I volunteer for has done it's upmost to get parents to not drive right to the school (e.g. "walking bus", "park and stride", crossing patrol, bike sheds, shelters and "Bike It") but all to no avail. The parents park dangerously, annoy local residents and all think that everyone else should change but they don't have to.”
by supergrass, the informant
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 11:12AM
“For the biggest offenders take a trip out to the police HQ at Nettleham. Under Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, all those parked on double yellow lines at lincolnshire police HQ Nettleham are committing a criminal offence. The roadways in and around lincolnshire police are classed as the public highway just like supermarket car parks, DIY store car parks and public car parks. Funny how nobody at lincolnshire police has been ticketed or prosecuted though isnt it. Maybe it is because they came from the east to see that which is in the wast, or they met on the level and waent along the plane?”
by Martin, Lincoln
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 9:36AM
“"I would say that the vast majority don't park illegally through choice, they would park legally if there was somewhere cheap or free and convenient."
In other words then, they are parking illegally entirely through choice.”
by Steve, Lincoln Edge
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 7:44AM
“Victor - Could I just point out that Waterside South is frequently targeted by both the Police and Traffic Wardens and even those displaying blue badges get tickets.
The signs may be small but are there to be read.”
by Ian, Heighington
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 4:27AM
“It will get pushed through, there's too much money to be made by private contractors on piece work.
Parking problems in Lincoln would be greatly alleviated by having more cheap or free parking in convenient spots.
I would say that the vast majority don't park illegally through choice, they would park legally if there was somewhere cheap or free and convenient.”
by Colin Mair, Coningsby
Tuesday, May 11 2010, 9:06PM
“Can somebody tell me what the proposal is and why ELDC are refusing to comply with the proposed changes? This fragmentation has to stop. I think we have too many councils, too many councillors and too many council employees. Has anybody done a car count at the car park at Manby? Why aren't HMRC taking an interest in this employee perk when the rest of us have to fight for a parking place?
How can ELDC, by the way, have a climate change strategy when they supply so many car parking places?
It's time these people learned how to play together because when the savage cuts come all they will do is hurt us if they can't work as a unified team.”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Tuesday, May 11 2010, 7:50PM
“And so the Nottingham Post becomes the Lincolnshire Echo.”
by allforit, Lincoln
Tuesday, May 11 2010, 5:22PM
“sorry should say ELDC!”
by Allforit, Lincoln
Tuesday, May 11 2010, 5:20PM
“Believe me if this goes ahead the problems will be sorted, having a relative who has worked on the CPE projects in three counties already I know it works. Problems like the illegal double parking on Portland Street making it impossible to cross safely, especially now they now have buses going along there, will be a thing of the past! I saw my first parking tickets for about 2 years on Portland Street the other day & I walk along at least three times a week!
Come on WLDC & Co get it sorted!”
by Phill, Lincoln
Tuesday, May 11 2010, 4:41PM
“While I'm at it, can someone explain to me why the High Street is supposed to be traffic free, including delivery vans during the day, yet I keep seeing TNT vans and all sorts of other vehicles driving past Barclays Bank and upwards?
During one lunch hour I saw four vehicles driving up what is meant to be a pedestrianised area, and is signposted as such as you turn left onto the High Street from Wigford Way, so why are they allowed to do it.
I guess, like everything else, there's no-one around to stop them.”