Council will stump up £20,000 to tackle illegal Telford parking

Great Dawley Town Council has been inundated with complaints from scores of concerned residents and businesses in the town about the lack of police presence since cutbacks by West Mercia Police.

Town council chairman Shaun Davies said although local policing teams were still in place in Telford, they now had to cover much larger areas.

No-one from West Mercia Police was available to comment on the claims.

Councillor Davies said: "We have listened to concerned residents. and businesses about the lack of local policing. Councillors have demanded a dedicated community support officer (CSO) to cover Dawley, Malinslee and Dawley Bank, which makes up Great Dawley Town Council. They have put £20,000 into their draft budget to contribute toward the post."

"It is hoped that the CSO will have powers to issue parking tickets but also deal with residents and business concerns."

Councillor Davies claimed the slashing of millions from the police budget had left local teams "stretched to breaking point" with the added pressure of covering the town centre and Southwater.

"The town council has put the money in the budget – and we are hopeful that this will benefit residents and businesses of the area," he added. "This will be an extra service on top of the one we already have.

"The scheme builds on ones operated in Wellington and Newport to address parking problems – but this one would be expanded to have a full time CSO policing the town council area."

Fellow town councillor Jane Pinter said the council had already put aside cash for a car to help existing support officers get around the patch.

But she said it had become "obvious" residents and businesses felt let down by the current arrangements for cover.

"This new partnership will mean that residents will get an enhanced service and go a significant way in dealing with parking issues in and around the High Street," she said.

The plan also has the backing of Dawley Regeneration Partnership.

Director Andy Burford said: "Dawley and Malinslee is a great place to do business – but this extra measure will allow the police and town council to deal with local issues and I support the project."