Newport to get traffic warden to tackle illegal parking
A town is to get its own traffic warden from Monday in a bid to crack down on illegal parking, it was revealed today.
The warden, who will patrol in Newport, will be a community support officer with specific powers to book drivers of illegally parked vehicles.
Members of Newport Town Council have backed the move in a bid to tackle drivers who park in Central Square.
Deputy mayor Councillor Tim Nelson said that since the square had been refurbished under Telford & Wrekin Council's Borough Towns Initiative the aim had been to make it suitable for pedestrians and a place where events and activities could be staged.
He said: "It is not a place for parking. It is not meant for vehicles. Obviously, there is access for emergency vehicles, for the utility companies such as gas and water and also for our CCTV maintenance staff.
"There are also businesses in the square and the town council is very proud of them and very much supports them.
"We realise there will be a certain amount of loading and unloading but that only involves vehicles stopping for a short while.
"What has been observed, however, is vehicles stopping not just to load, unload or drop-off but staying for extended periods. That is parking."
The town council on Wednesday considered suggestions from Telford & Wrekin Council to tackle the problem.
These included rearranging planters to impeded vehicles but councillors rejected this as it would have involved moving at least one from another part of town. Another was to install more bollards at a cost of £2,500 but the borough council would not foot the bill for that.
The council decided instead to see what impact the newly empowered community support officer has on the situation.
