Traffic Wardens return to the streets of Glastonbury

If you're thinking of parking where you shouldn't in Glastonbury (or anywhere across Somerset) from now on, the penalty could be costly.

While traffic control has been fairly slack over the past few years (I've personally witnessed haphazard parking,often for days at a time, in the likes of Benedict Street, Northload Street, Magdalene Street and the High Street), as from Monday 18th June, the jolly parking controllers will be out in force to ticket anyone parking on double yellows and the like, although the police will still be able to take action if someone has parked dangerously or is causing an obstruction, where there are no other parking restrictions.

Somerset County Council which has taken over the responsibility of parking enforcement from the Avon and Somerset police, has introduced wardens employed by NSL who will be able to issue parking fines of between £50 and £70 depending on the offence. 

NSL Services is the UK's largest provider of on-street parking management in the UK, and the 50 officers deployed across Somerset form part of a team of around 3000 across the country. As anyone who has visited Glastonbury town centre over the past few days will have noticed the wardens have been out and about in town, and are quite noticeable with their peaked caps and hi-visibility jackets, but during this time they have just been issuing slips to drivers who have parked incorrectly; but as from Monday this will change and penalty notices will instead be handed out.

The parking penalty charge levels have been advertised at £70 for a higher-level contravention (for example parking on a double yellow line) and £50 for a lower-level contravention (for example parking too long in a limited waiting bay). This is the maximum level permitted outside London.  These charges are all in line with neighbouring authorities and are subject to a 50 per cent discount if paid within 14 days (and details of payments and discounts will be printed on the tickets).

NSL Services is the UK's largest provider of on-street parking management in the UK, and the 50 officers deployed across Somerset are part of a team of 3000 across the country. Their officers have been out and about in town over the past week, but during this time they have just been issuing slips to drivers who have parked incorrectly; but as from Monday this will change and penalty notices will instead be handed out.

The council says it has taken on these parking responsibilities to keep our roads clear across the county, with the aim of reducing traffic congestion and improving town centre trade, and while some people think the purpose is just to generate more revenue others think it will make our congested town centre roads safer.  What do you think?