COUNCIL chiefs have launched a clampdown on illegal parking in the heart of the city following a spate of complaints from residents.
Civil enforcement officers are stepping up evening street patrols in a bid to crack down on illegal parking.
The patrols have been stepped up following complaints from residents who are being encouraged to alert the parking team to areas where there is a problem.
On just one evening last month, 41 £70 fines were handed out to motorists who were parked illegally after 6pm. The Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued for a variety of offences.
Complaints of illegal parking include places such as disabled bays, taxi ranks, the King Street bus stand and the St John’s area. People have also complained about food delivery drivers parking badly.
The poor parking even attracted the attention of the Rt Rev Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, who took a picture of a car parked outside Five Guys and joked Cathedral Square parking was ‘very handy for shops and restaurants.
Although illegal parking is for local councils to enforce, if a vehicle is parked dangerously or in a way that could prevent emergency vehicle access then it should be reported to police.
Coun Karen Lewing, vice chair of Worcester City Council’s Environment Committee, said: “Our message is simple – park legally, or don’t park at all. It only takes a couple of badly parked cars to cause traffic chaos – they are a hazard to other road users including disabled drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
“Parking restrictions exist for good reasons, for public safety and to ensure that traffic flows smoothly and we will not compromise on such an important issue. Those who park illegally will be fined.”
Residents who wish to report issues around illegal parking are asked to contact [email protected]
