Now MP Watts slams ‘over-zealous’ parking regime

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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MP DAVE WATTS has slammed the town’s “over zealous” new parking regime and raised concerns over the future of a major town centre employer, which has seen workers hit with fines.

Regulations, which came into force at the start of the year, have proved unpopular with many townsfolk, who have bombarded the St Helens Star with complaints.

It is claimed that the Meals and Wheels service has found itself paying out for tickets along with a number of post office workers.

It was even reported that a delivery driver dropping off blood to the town’s Walk In centre fell foul of the blue-uniformed wardens.

Numerous town centre businesses have also indicated that they feel the new arrangements are adding to their woes during the current downturn.

One shop owner told the Star; “It has made it so difficult for customers to park outside my business. I know of many other people in the same boat.”

One restaurant owner in the town centre was also reported to have become embroiled in an argument with a warden who was booking a car outside the premises even though the owner claimed he had been told by the council that delivery vehicles were permitted to park there.

Such is the level of concern that management at the postal depot on Liverpool Road have already met with St Helens North MP Watts.

Workers at the depot, who for years have parked outside while they collect their mailbags, are now finding themselves forking out on fines after they have been booked.

Mr Watts said: “I am concerned because it could have an impact on the post office. I have written to the council asking if they can come to some sort of arrangement regarding parking on St Thomas’s Square, which is opposite, but they said there were technical problems, as it would have to be manned. But they said they will set up a meeting with the post office to look at other options.”

He added: “All it needs is a bit of common sense. If there is a problem it is better to find a solution to give them somewhere to park, which leaves them able to continue to do their job. It’s not a good idea to ticket people who are working and it raises concerns over the future of the post office there.”

A spokesman from Royal Mail confirmed: “We are working hard to resolve the issue.”

Meanwhile Mayor of St Helens, Cllr John Beirne has added his voice to the chorus of criticism of the parking crackdown and is to carry out a survey of more than 1,000 homes in response to the barrage of complaints The Lib Dem councillor for the town centre said: “The Highways Department haven’t got it right and it’s vital that everyone is consulted to see what improvements can be made, especially in the Hardshaw Street area.”

[NWpostie]

I have driven in some towns with these new "Civil enforcements Officers" and I will say this after seeing them in action, they will kill town centre shopping, people will instead go to retail parks and out of town shopping centres where parking is free and unlimited, parking charges in these towns are also up through the roof which along with the threat of a ticket just for being slightly out or in doubtful areas, is costing money, money people can ill afford to lose in these times, so when shoppers goes away, whats left is workers who have to park to get to work, however if these shops closes, thats the workforce halved, when nobody goes to banks, libraries, colleges, thats the town dead.


I can see it happening, I have been to St Helens a few times and have seen the Posties cars parked outside St Helens Delivery office, from what I can see there is no alternative as there is no parking facilities in the Sorting Offices or in the street as it is mostly residental parking only.

yeah what happened to Common Sense, not where Council money making schemes come in.