'It drives me nuts': Council seeks to stop 'overzealous' wardens in Oswestry
Oswestry Town Council wants to take over parking enforcement from Shropshire Council after receiving numerous complaints about "overzealous" parking wardens.
Town councillors have been left frustrated by residents contacting them, saying that parking wardens have been giving them tickets for parking early in the morning and on Sundays.
The matter was discussed at a town council meeting on Wednesday, after a motion was put forward by councillor Chris Schofield.
He proposed that the council, which already has two parking wardens manning its own car parks, takes over enforcement operations on both on and off-street car parks.
Councillor Schofield believes the town council can do a better job because they have better knowledge of the area, and it would put a stop to complaints about ticketing at random times.
He said: "The complaints have been going on a while about being booked early on the morning and on a Sunday, and that can't be right.
"It is nothing against traffic wardens, and I am not condoning illegal parking but people shouldn't be getting booked on a Sunday.
"It is just overzealous parking wardens, and it drives me nuts, it is complete madness to book people at these times.
"Councillors have had enough really, others have been receiving complaints and we feel we can do it a lot better than Shropshire Council."
Telford and Wrekin Council is another authority which is looking to take over the responsibility of parking enforcement in the borough.
Last week council leader Shaun Davies said the authority isn't using the system as a cash cow, or a money making scheme.
Councillor Schofield's motion at Wednesday's town council meeting receiving the backing from fellow members, and the council is now contacting Shropshire Council to explore the move.
He believes it could be an opportunity for the local authority to offload a service.
"There just needs to be a bit of common sense," said Councillor Schofield.
"There have been reports of a fruit and veg man being ticketed for stopping for seconds outside a shop, and that isn't right either.
"Authorities are always looking to get rid of services, and this is one we want to take on."
