LIB DEMS GIVE NEW POWERS TO HELP LOCAL RESIDENTS STOP UNLAWFUL VERGE PARKING

Bedford Borough Council has announced new powers to help local communities deal with the problem of unlawful parking on verges.

Elected members, local residents and the emergency services have raised numerous concerns with the Council about unlawful parking in parts of the borough. Parking on verges, especially on narrow roads or in bus lanes, can cause significant problems for all road vehicles.

In an effort to tackle this issue, the Council is introducing new options to empower local communities to take action. However, the Council will only seek to enforce these parking restrictions in areas where they have the support of all local ward councillors. Additionally, at least one of the following criteria must also be met:

There is clear evidence to the Council that verge parking is affecting the safety of pedestrians

There is extensive physical damage to the footway or verge making it difficult to maintain

There is damage to services, such as cables, in the verge

There is a recommendation from the Police, Fire or Ambulance Service that the street be subject to unlawful parking enforcement

Councillor Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: "Unlawful parking causes serious problems for local residents and the emergency services in parts of the borough. We want to work with local residents to identify areas where this parking is causing serious problems and take action to tackle it.

"We will not force these changes onto local communities. The first requirement that must be met is that all local ward councillors want us to stop unlawful parking. Without that, we will not take any further action.

"Unlawful verge parking is a blight on some of our communities and by working with local people we can tackle this issue."

When the above criteria has been met, a leaflet will be issued to all households in the street to advise on the unlawfulness of verge parking and the Council's intention to introduce enforcement. Signs will also be erected along the verges. After this grace period, penalty charge notices will be issued to drivers parking unlawfully.

Verge and footway parking restrictions apply at all times and vehicles cannot park on these protected verges and footways at any time or for any period of time. However, enforcement requires warning signs to be erected to advise drivers they risk being prosecuted if they fail to abide by warnings.

The Council will also continue to monitor the situation to ensure the restrictions are not exacerbating problems elsewhere.