Telford council wants to take over parking enforcement - have your say

Residents are being asked for their views on parking in the town, including what the problems are and where they most occur.

Telford & Wrekin Council hopes to take powers to enforce parking rules over roads, pavements and council-owned car parks.

West Mercia Police currently have the responsibility to enforce the law, but often do not have the resources to do so.

Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for enforcement, said: "We know how illegal and inconsiderate parking causes problems for residents and businesses and we understand the frustrations that it isn’t being policed.

“That’s why the council wants to take over this role and we would like to hear from as many people as possible about experiences, what the issues are and where the hotspots are.

Reassure

“The survey asks a variety of questions, from parking around schools and on pavements to disabled parking bays and the potential for permits for businesses who need to make deliveries in our main towns so please take part in the survey and let us have your thoughts."

Councillor Overton said the move would not just be about increasing the money coming into the council.

“I want to reassure residents that we are not taking on these powers to make money by issuing lots of fines," he said.

"It’s very much about tackling the minority of inconsiderate drivers who park illegally and in doing so present risks to other drivers and pedestrians. I also want to reassure residents that council owned car parks that are currently free to use will remain so.”

The public consultation has gone live today and will be available for four weeks, ending on October 15.

It is hoped the civil parking enforcement powers will pass necessary legal hurdles and gets approved by the Department of Transport by autumn 2019.

The survey will be available here telford.gov.uk/parkingenforcement