Police chief asked to see Newport 'lawless' parking
The Police & Crime Commissioner for West Mercia has been summoned to Newport to take a first-hand look at the town's 'lawless' parking problems.
Recently-elected Bill Longmore has been called to a meeting at the Guildhall, in Newport, to discuss parking issues with town councillors.
They claim illegal parking is an escalating problem with people leaving their vehicles wherever they see fit, including on double yellow lines and in areas cordoned off by police cones.
Mr Longmore has accepted an invitation to attend the town council's community safety committee meeting on February 27.
He has said he will also take the opportunity to visit Newport Police Station and the mayor, Councillor Tony Forrester, will also ask him to take a first-hand look at the problems.
Councillor Forrester said he wanted to see the police doing more to combat illegal parking.
"I keep reading about over-zealous parking enforcement in other parts of the country, but we are completely at the other end of the scale," he said.
"It's breaking the law. The police keep saying it's not their responsibility but it is."
Councillor Peter Scott said: "Newport is becoming lawless as far as parking is concerned and no-one is doing anything about it.
"People move police bollards and then drive their car right into the spot.
"Why do they do that? They wouldn't consider shoplifting, so what is the difference?"
Councillor Scott said he was angered by people parking alongside the Jubilee Garden – also known as the Lower Bar Garden – an area clearly marked with police cones.
And Councillor Nigel Borrett added: "The law needs to be enforced or what is the point? We need to get the police out there or traffic wardens. That's the only way things will change."
A spokesman for West Mercia Police said parking enforcement is carried out when possible – but admitted that it is not a priority.
He said: "We have many other duties to undertake – including responding to emergency calls and investigating specific offences – and therefore, with limited resources and various other priorities, we are not always able to carry out regular parking enforcement."
The spokesman said people should contact their Safer Neighbourhood Team and Telford & Wrekin Council to raise any concerns.
Newport Town Council is keen for Telford & Wrekin Council to apply for Civil Parking Enforcement, which would take the responsibility of ticketing parking offenders away from the police and place it in the hands of the local authority.
