On Wednesday night in the URC hall the Chair of River CC, Tommy Hogg, distributed copies
of a letter from the Highlands and Islands division of Police Scotland, it was
entitled “Traffic Warden Review” and signed by Chief Superintendent Julian
Innes. The letter mentioned the historical background to a review of the
service provided by traffic wardens and then went on to say:
“This letter is to advise you that Police Scotland is
proposing to withdraw the role of traffic wardens across the divisions where
the role still exists. This is to allow Police Scotland to focus on the core
activity of keeping people safe. Where parking is dangerous or causes
significant obstruction Police Scotland will task police officers to resolve
the issue using the appropriate enforcement activity, including parking
tickets, other direct measures or prosecution reports.”
Also in the letter, the
Chief Superintendent then goes went on to say that he is keen to hear views and
gave contact details. There then followed some debate on this matter.
Liz said: “On the ward forum for the 30th of
October is the police and fire consultation and any of these matters, it would
be a good point to raise them there at the consultation, especially about
wardens and the changes to their office hours.”
The conversation then moved on to the prospects of Highland
Council taking over the traffic warden duties but it was apparent from what Liz
had to say that there was not yet any definite idea about what happens next. Simon
Noble asked Liz: “Do you know what Highland Council’s position is in relation
to that because there is no information here?”
Liz replied: “I think, so far we were hoping the police
would continue on in that role in the
Highlands but I think the pointers are that it is going to be on the local
authority to pick up the traffic wardens but I don’t think there’s going to be
a budget coming across.”
River CC’s Stephanie Whittaker then said in reference to the
draft traffic order (see previous Gurn article): “It makes nonsense of all this
new parking if it is not going to be policed.”
Fears were expressed that a private company might be given
the work as their motivation would be to make as much money as they possibly
could from fines etc. Liz agreed:
“I think that would be the concern, they would try and earn
as much income as they can to try and
cover their costs. It’s not what we are
used to in Nairn, we are used to a more relaxed style of traffic management,”
she said.
3 comments:
A private company to enforce the yellow lines would be a good idea. You would only get a ticket if you parked illegally, simples. They could do the dog crap too. The company would make money, the council would make money, the streets would be safer and cleaner for us all.
its about time the disabled bays were policed
we pay £20 per 3 years for the privellege of having to buy a blue badge to park in disabled bays,where otherwise,motorists can park free in other bays,including disabled bays.when challenged,we are told to p*ss off,its just not fair,i say employ traffic wardens,they would earn their wages in a day if they fined all illegal parkers.
narook
IF money could be made simples, why don't the council carry out these jobs and we then enjoy the profits as council tax payers?
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