Traffic Wardens, aka Green Goblind or Civil Enforcement Officers Options

[GMR]

I don't think you read GMR's post properly as he doesn't seem to say that at all.

The Councillor, in my view, has just shown his true colours. He (they) are just simple 'scalpers'.

Exactly.

[hamster]

"Mr Betts also admitted that one in seven tickets issued by the parking wardens had been overturned on appeal. Since they started patrols, 2697 fines have been issued, but 397 of them had been cancelled after drivers complained about the fines."

And how much did this cost in admin and support staff - more than the original tickets no doubt?

[GMR]

"Mr Betts also admitted that one in seven tickets issued by the parking wardens had been overturned on appeal. Since they started patrols, 2697 fines have been issued, but 397 of them had been cancelled after drivers complained about the fines."

And how much did this cost in admin and support staff - more than the original tickets no doubt?

I believe - but I am not 100% sure - that traffic wardens are on a bonus. That means, they, themselves, are praying for crimes to be committed so that they can earn there money.

[Guest_Newbury Expat_*]

Never been a particular fan of traffic wardens for the reasons posted. It's not that I am against parking enforcement (I'm all for it when some scally parks his GTi in a disabled space) but the 'intent' of flooding the streets with the Yellow Peril is not right.

It's an earner for the council.

Similar to me as speed cameras. It's claimed to be there for safetly and maybe that was the original intent, but more and more it's a source of revenue so the intent has shifted from safety to revenue. Just my take - maybe should leave the cameras issue to the rants section

[TallDarkAndHands...]

They wanted to make money but have misjudged the number of illegally parked cars so have been proven incorrect in their estimations. In employment law I believe that all employees are on probation for 6 months and can be dismissed at any time up until the end of that 6 months. As this scheme has been mis-managed may I suggest that the Council accept this and reduce the number of Wardens (if it is not too late already) from say 20 to 10 so that the incumbent members (or stakeholders) of West Berkshire Deistrict Council get value for money and a service they deserve.

****Incumbent members (or stakeholders) = You, me and Average Joe that pay their council tax. I Just thought I'd put it in a language that the counciller cretins understand.

[Johngreybeard]

I have just joined so that I can take part in this debate. The basic problem is that people don't read the signs when they park but just assume that they can park anywhere they like irrespective of local residents or rules (shades of the 'bollards' issue!). This is more typical of how society is now rather than the fault of the council. Previously when the police managed the parking controls there was only one traffic warden for the town and basically no enforcement! Perhaps 20 wardens will prove too many but if they do make people more aware then I will suppport the scheme. I have a controlled bay outside my house and am always amazed how many 'parkers' look shocked when I point out the signs and the restrictions before hurriedly moving elsewhere.

[GMR]

Never been a particular fan of traffic wardens for the reasons posted. It's not that I am against parking enforcement (I'm all for it when some scally parks his GTi in a disabled space) but the 'intent' of flooding the streets with the Yellow Peril is not right.

It's an earner for the council.

Similar to me as speed cameras. It's claimed to be there for safetly and maybe that was the original intent, but more and more it's a source of revenue so the intent has shifted from safety to revenue. Just my take - maybe should leave the cameras issue to the rants section

That is another one; speed camera’s. Their main objective is to make money first and then catch speeders. But to make money they must hope that people break the law. It is morally wrong.

[TallDarkAndHands...]

I have just joined so that I can take part in this debate. The basic problem is that people don't read the signs when they park but just assume that they can park anywhere they like irrespective of local residents or rules (shades of the 'bollards' issue!). This is more typical of how society is now rather than the fault of the council. Previously when the police managed the parking controls there was only one traffic warden for the town and basically no enforcement! Perhaps 20 wardens will prove too many but if they do make people more aware then I will suppport the scheme. I have a controlled bay outside my house and am always amazed how many 'parkers' look shocked when I point out the signs and the restrictions before hurriedly moving elsewhere.

I think you will find that you are in the 5% of people that support the scheme. I thought we lived ina democracy. Why can't local people have a say on things that affect their every day lives? We live in a digital age. West Berkshire Council is despised by the majority of hard working normal people. Viva La Revolution.

[Johngreybeard]

I think you will find that you are in the 5% of people that support the scheme. I thought we lived ina democracy. Why can't local people have a say on things that affect their every day lives? We live in a digital age. West Berkshire Council is despised by the majority of hard working normal people. Viva La Revolution.

[Johngreybeard]

Perhaps I am but you haven't contradicted my point that people DO NOT read the signage. You talk about living in a Democracy well I have been in comtact, since the original scheme began, with my local ward member about my views - have you? Local people can make a difference but is a forum the right place!

[Andrea]

Perhaps I am but you haven't contradicted my point that people DO NOT read the signage. You talk about living in a Democracy well I have been in comtact, since the original scheme began, with my local ward member about my views - have you? Local people can make a difference but is a forum the right place!

I do agree with you, John, although our main point for complaining is because of what David Betts said. We are angry because they are planning to ticket more people in the coming months to even out the costs. His exact words were “The number of tickets has increased monthly, and I'm looking to increase it further with each passing month.”

I for one support parking enforcement but not like this. I refuse to support anything where they're opening planning on increasing the amount of tickets given.

I understand your point of view... I would hate to live somewhere near town where people would park to go shopping or to go to work.

[Johngreybeard]

I do agree with you, John, although our main point for complaining is because of what David Betts said. We are angry because they are planning to ticket more people in the coming months to even out the costs. His exact words were “The number of tickets has increased monthly, and I'm looking to increase it further with each passing month.”

I for one support parking enforcement but not like this. I refuse to support anything where they're opening planning on increasing the amount of tickets given.

I understand your point of view... I would hate to live somewhere near town where people would park to go shopping or to go to work.

[Johngreybeard]

I take your point but when you consider the amount of money that, in my opinion, is being wasted on trying to turn Newbury into another Reading or Basingstoke, which is the better use of our money! Did no one explain to the Council 'bigwigs' that the area around Parkway has a high watertable and that dewatering systems are notoriously poor when proposing an UNDERGROUND car park?

[Andrea]

I take your point but when you consider the amount of money that, in my opinion, is being wasted on trying to turn Newbury into another Reading or Basingstoke, which is the better use of our money! Did no one explain to the Council 'bigwigs' that the area around Parkway has a high watertable and that dewatering systems are notoriously poor when proposing an UNDERGROUND car park?

I don't dispute the fact that West Berkshire Council are wasting money in other areas as well. But the fact is we're complaining about them wasting money with the parking enforcement. We shouldn't just turn a blind eye to it.

It's like saying "Oh look, he's flushing money down the toilet, let's ignore him though and concentrate on that person over there who's burning money"

[GMR]

Perhaps I am but you haven't contradicted my point that people DO NOT read the signage. You talk about living in a Democracy well I have been in comtact, since the original scheme began, with my local ward member about my views - have you? Local people can make a difference but is a forum the right place!

If not forums like this where else? Sadly there is nowhere in Newbury to voice your opinions. I've been to the council forums at WBC and they are controlled and you can't really have your say. And those places are mainly dominated by councillors and such. Forums are the future and the only way an individual can voice their concerns. Yes, you could write to the papers but they can only take so many letters and you really can't have a proper debate as you do here.

There are other local forums like Newburynutters that allow you to have your say, but that is it.

[GMR]

Duplicated post

[alexh]

The difficulties in parking now have put me off shopping in Newbury, I shop on the retail park or out of town. I mean really what does Newbury have that I cant get on the retail park or beyond. I think there are more and more people who are just put off by the hassle of roadworks, traffic and parking.

[GMR]

The difficulties in parking now have put me off shopping in Newbury, I shop on the retail park or out of town. I mean really what does Newbury have that I cant get on the retail park or beyond. I think there are more and more people who are just put off by the hassle of roadworks, traffic and parking.

I think that is another good point; traffic wardens, not enough places to park, attitudes etc will push people away from Newbury and on to other more consumer friendly places. In the end Newbury town centre will miss out.

[Andrea]

The difficulties in parking now have put me off shopping in Newbury, I shop on the retail park or out of town. I mean really what does Newbury have that I cant get on the retail park or beyond. I think there are more and more people who are just put off by the hassle of roadworks, traffic and parking.

I'm with you there. The only time I go into town is when I go in when on my lunch and I can walk in. Even then it's a rare occurance. I don't like having to dodge road works, buses, and people asking for surveys/money.

The only time I don't go to the retail park is when it's the weekend and it takes longer to park/leave then it does to do your actual shopping... I just stay at home on those days

[Strafin]

. I have a controlled bay outside my house and am always amazed how many 'parkers' look shocked when I point out the signs and the restrictions before hurriedly moving elsewhere.

If you pay road tax you should be able to park on the public road, unless there are yellow lines. That's how easy it could and should be in my opinion.