Time's up for illegal parking

9:28am Thursday 8th February 2007

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COULD parking hell be coming to an end in Stockton Heath?

With the introduction of parking wardens on Monday the number of cars picking up penalties are expected to rocket in the village.

Peter Crellin, police community support officer for Stockton Heath, said: "It's the bug bear in the village.

"Cars are left on access roads, on double yellow lines, and it is a nightmare for residents and police who have to deal with the complaints."

As one of the most notorious parking-fine hot spots, Stockton Heath has a long-standing problem preventing vehicles parking illegally. More than £12,000 of parking fines were issued in one month, last August.

But all that is about to change with the decriminalisation of parking, which means traffic wardens will be out ticketing illegal parkers.

Meanwhile, police community support officers still have the power to issue parking fines.

Month after month, the issue has been flagged up at Stockton Heath Parish Council meetings.

Clr Celia Jordan, LD borough councillor and chairman of Stockton Heath Parish Council said: "Once they are able to have presence in the village I think the traffic wardens will have a big impact. And we do want them to come up to Stockton Heath because there is a huge problem with parking here."

London Road and East Avenue are among the worst-hit roads, with vehicles constantly being parked opposite Sainsbury's supermarket and shops near the village's main junction with Grappenhall Road.

One resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "It's the people who live in the village who bear the brunt of this parking problem. It is often caused by those out shopping or lunching who park illegally or clog up residents' roads."

Parish councillors are also in talks with traffic bosses to have residential parking set up to clamp down on residential roads becoming overspill car park areas.