Drivers are warned – park on yellows at your peril

The town’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has confirmed they are working with the county council following complaints from town councillors and residents.

The authorities are focussing on all areas of the town with particular emphasis on long-term hot-spots like the High Street and West Street

This month’s town council meeting heard complaints that vehicles were regularly parking on double yellow lines – leading to concerns about safety.

The council also received a letter from a resident raising particular issues about West Street at its junction with Prospect Street.

The resident stated: “There are now three take-away café/restaurants located near the junction.

“The parking restrictions and signage are not adequate.

“Lazy people who are not prepared to walk 100 metres stop on the corner, directly outside their chosen take- away to order, wait for and collect food.

“This is an accident waiting to happen.”

The resident warned that parking on the junction meant traffic coming into town is confronted by vehicles coming round a corner on the wrong side of the road.

The letter added: “All curbs on this junction should have double yellow lines and clear signage displaying “no stopping at any time.’”

The resident explained a Stagecoach service bus had to mount the pavement to pass the obstruction caused by parked cars.

The letter added that once in place, the restriction would need to be ‘enforced’.

Several councillors spoke in support of the letter and called for firm action to be taken.

In response PCSO Nigel Wass said police were working alongside enforcement officers from the county council.

Apart from the junction, officers are monitoring the parking situation on West Street near to the Grammar School.

He said ‘tickets’ had been issued and patrols would continue.

A number of new parking restrictions are scheduled to be introduced by the county council in the coming weeks.