Traffic wardens forced to work in groups for their own safety in angry Milton Keynes town
MK Council is continuing to crack down on illegal parking in Bletchley – despite traffic wardens facing so much abuse that they’re forced to work in groups for their own safety.
Sixteen parking tickets a day are being issued in Bletchley and Fenny Stratford so far in December, as the Labour administration on Milton Keynes City Council vows to tackle the the ongoing problem of anti-social parking in the town.
The enforcement action focuses on known hotspots, including Queensway, Duncombe Street, Tavistock Street and Osbourne Street.
Over 2500 PCNs have been issued in Bletchley this year, the highest number outside CMK city centre.
But unfortunately, council staff issuing tickets are being faced with abuse, threats, intimidation and physical abuse from those responsible for the thoughtless parking. The Civil Enforcement Officers now have to often work to in groups for safety reasons, admitted the council this week.
Cllr Pete Marland, Labour Leader of Milton Keynes City Council said: “ “It is completely unacceptable that the council is having to take extraordinary measures to protect staff due to the sheer amount of verbal and physical abuse experienced in this area. Officers are being deployed in teams of two and three for their own safety because they are doing work the local community is asking them to do."
He added: “I think there is clearly the need for some people to take personal responsibility for their actions and for others to support the work the council is doing.”
The parking crackdown comes as work is currently underway to improve the high street, as part of the Queensway Improvement Scheme. The investment will see permanent preventative parking measures, continuous pavements and raised table road crossing, better lighting and wayfinding, more trees, and bike hub lockups.
Pete said: “Labour is delivering a fundamental transformation of Bletchley and Fenny Stratford, investing over £30million of funding to improve the area and working with Callum Anderson MP to attract more inward investment into the town, including recently securing the commitment to a new town centre facing entrance to the railway station.
“We know local people raise anti-social parking a lot when we talk to them. Milton Keynes City Council dedicates a lot of resource to dealing with illegal parking in Bletchley, and the very high level of enforcement notices being served throughout the year shows it is an issue we take very seriously.
“However, we know fines alone won’t improve Bletchley or make the town centre more successful. That is why as part of the regeneration plans Labour is investing in a better public realm for shoppers, improving parking on Queensway and making the area nicer and a safer for people to visit.”
Cllr Ayesha Khanom, Labour ward councillor for Bletchley Park said: “We are committed to making Bletchley's streets safe and accessible for all pedestrians and road users, and this requires a firm stance against those who choose to park illegally.
Cllr Nigel Long, Labour ward councillor for Bletchley Park added: “It is impossible to fine everyone or have enforcement officers present at every single problem, for instance drivers have a five-minute grace period before receiving a ticket and this often results in drivers moving their vehicles upon seeing the officers, but with the regeneration of the town centre, Bletchley is moving the right direction.”