Traffic warden numbers rise almost 6%
Councils are clamping down on illegal parking by putting more traffic wardens on our streets.
Since 2008, there has been a rise of nearly 6% in traffic wardens employed by councils, according to figures obtained by LV.
What's more, in the last 12 months it was found that 17% of local authorities have reduced the amount of free parking, replacing it with revenue-generating paid parking zones.
Big jump
Data sourced from a freedom of information request from more than 220 councilsshowed a jump in the number of parking inspectors employed by councils from 3,630 in 2008 to 3,841 in 2012- a 5.8% rise overall.
The figures suggest that one in ten councils have increased the number of parking attendants on duty by 20% or more.
In an average council area there are now 16 parking civil enforcement officers employed to clamp down on parking violations. In London boroughs this figure rises to 51.
Of the councils that provided information, Westminster had the highest number of traffic wardens on patrol (242), followed by Islington (135), Edinburgh (121) and Lambeth (99).
Big fines
As a result motorists trying their luck have been hit with big fines.
Over the last 12 months 10% of drivers have been caught out, with penalties for illegally parked vehicles totalling £340 million, or £96 per driver.
If you think you have been fined unfairly read this article: How to beat parking fines.
In an LV survey of 1,583 drivers, 57% believed parking had become harder in their nearest town since 2008 and 18% of drivers admitted to parking illegally over the last year.
Save on parking and fines
As the number of cars on the roads grows and councils look to make more money, motorists will find it harder to park.
But you do have alternatives. You could try using Park and Ride schemes or find spots further away from busy areas to save on the cost of parking and reducing your risk of getting a fine.
More stories on parking:
Hospital car park charges up by as much as 200%!
Huge increases in railway station car park charges
Most Recent
Comments
-
@electricblue, I didn't say I don't shop at Morrison's any more, but I try to avoid it. I actually shopped there yesterday. They do a large selection of cooked food. Unfortunately, they didn't have any cooked food I wanted. I did however manage to explain to two international students how to shop in there. They seem to prefer Asda though! I also took them to the local lake to see ducks and geese. They asked, "Do you eat them?" My comment was about parking and not about getting bargains; so in keeping with the article.
REPORT This comment has been reported. -
I live in West Kent in Tunbridge Wells to be exact. It used to be Traffic Warden Borough Council so they now call them 'Enforcement Officers'!! My main piece of advice to people who have the misfortune to have to park in TW - unless they are Councillors who get free parking spaces - is "Do not park in the multistory car parks on a wet day as that is where the 'Enforcement Officers' go in there to stay dry. You will get a ticket even if you have paid and show a valid ticket - I know !! Avoid TW if possible - try Crowborough in East Sussex where one TWBC Councillor lives or Blue Water - parking is free and safe from predators!!
REPORT This comment has been reported. -
Well , with a reduction in grant from teh central governmnet local council will expect even more from teh motorist. Do not forget that motoristsa re as addicted to cars as junkies are to herion. They cannot stop using them and are therefore ripe for being milked dry. So what do we do? Simple stop going inot towns/cities by car and do not use car parks. Councils will whine like mad and blame everyone, government will set up a task force to see why - without any irony at all. Blue badge holders are lucky ( in a way) , just park on yellow lines, s*d the car parks. Motorists do have power, by withdrawing their trade, but they need to do this together . They need a union to organise this action.
REPORT This comment has been reported.
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature
17 September 2012