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Drivers are parking on double yellow lines in Langborough Road
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Fury as neighbours flout parking rules

By Lewis Rudd
March 15, 2010

A furious motorist is demanding greater action be taken against drivers who are parking on double yellow lines along a Wokingham commuter route.

The lack of enforcement against those flouting restrictions in the borough is allowing residents in Langborough Road to park their cars in restricted areas, she says.

The driver claims the number of cars parked along the lines during the morning and evening rush hours is creating horrendous traffic problems for those using the route.

Drivers unable to find a space are opting to pull up on the yellow lines, which is making the problem worse, the driver has said.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: “There are some key culprits in Langborough Road who blatantly park on the double yellow lines.

“It’s not just in the mornings but when I’m coming home in the evenings as well. It’s not an easy road to negotiate and there is potential to get stuck down there because the traffic doesn’t flow very easily.

“I have phoned the council to explain how horrendous it can get during the rush hour but they tell me Wokingham doesn’t have a traffic warden.

“I have also called the non-emergency police number and physically been to the station in Wokingham to talk about the problem.

“They tell me Special Constables do carry out enforcement patrols but I’m sure they are busy enough solving crimes than going around putting tickets on cars.”

Many residents unable to find a space use the free off-street parking provided at the Denmark Street car park in the evenings.

One neighbour, however, does sympathise with those who park on the yellow lines.

Lucy Allen, of Langborough Road, said: “Lots of residents park on the double yellow lines in the evening because it’s hard to find a space when they get back from work.

“They are gone early in the morning so it doesn’t bother me at all, although I know it makes it harder for drivers to negotiate the street.

“Lots of people drive too fast down the street anyway though, so it’s a bit of extra traffic calming.

“I can’t really see any alternative.”

The upset motorist could have her objections answered as highway bosses at the council are looking to take enforcement powers away from police.

However, it could take as long as two years before the decriminalisation programme is in council hands.

Councillor Keith Baker, executive member for highways and transport, said his team is working through the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) in force across the borough before any programme becomes fully active.

He said: “The only organisation who has the legal right to prosecute and enforce waiting restrictions is the police – we can’t.

“We are, however, waiting to start a decriminalisation process where this legal responsibility is taken away from the police, but this could take two years as the thousands of TROs made in the borough during the last 20 to 30 years have to be reviewed.

“But it will allow us to enforce significantly more than is done today.”

The council decided to investigate taking over parking enforcement after its plans for parking meters on town centre parking bays were scrapped last year.

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That's all very nice, but when the council won't even extend a residents parking permit scheme for people who live in the town centre, what's the point. When WDC suggested to put paid parking on the street earlier this year, I objected exactly on these grounds.

With a council plan that actively discourages creation of parking for new development, situations like these will continue. You can't have enforcement without some for of provision for people who live in the area.

Bob Fossil
16/03/2010 at 12:19

Almost every other council in the country has taken over control of parking enforcement from the police and have their own traffic wardens.

Wokingham Council is one of the very few councils in the country who rely on the police to use traditional traffic wardens.

Whilst some councils employ over-zealous traffic wardens who put a ticket on anything that stands still, the vast majority use it as a way to control the roads and the flow of traffic in their area.

People are beginning to realise that you can park anywhere in Wokingham and you are very unlikely to get a ticket.

It's time something was done. This is part of a very lax attitude to road safety from the council along with resurfacing roads every 100 years and pulling out of the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership.