Praise for police as blitz on High Street parking goes on
Wednesday, 6th July 2011.
In the fourth week of the police campaign to stamp out illegal parking in Haverhill High Street, they issued 40 warning notices to motorists.
The total is still declining, having begun at 220, then fallen to 70, 58 and now 40 over the four weeks since police accepted the issue as a priority after mass complaints at a public meeting.
However, they are still unable to move to the enforcement phase of the action because Suffolk County Council is dragging its feet over repainting the double yellow lines.
Sgt Sarah Bartley of Haverhill Safer Neighbourhood Team said the lines were supposed to have been painted on Sunday, but weren't, the second time the council has failed to do the work at the time it said.
"This is supposed to be a multi-agency campaign," said Sgt Bartley, "so our inspector will be getting on to them again to get them to do it."
She said police wanted to move to enforcement, but felt it was unfair at present because many of the lines have faded badly or disappeared completely.
Haverhill Town Councillors last week praised the police for the work they had done so far.
Deputy mayor Cllr Pat Hanlon said: "I would like to congratulate the police for all their efforts in High Street and Queen Street and I have noticed there have not been so many cars parked there."
Other parking issues in Haverhill came up at last week's town council meeting, such as a need for double yellow lines at the bottom of Wratting Road and in Orchard Close, but town clerk Gordon Mussett said these formed part of proposals from Suffolk County Council which were due to go out for public consultation soon.
However, Haverhill policeman PC Will Wright failed in his quest to get money from the town council to support a scheme to have motor-bikes in the town specially marked to defeat thieves.
He asked for £500 for each of three stages in the project, but councillors refused to give him any, saying people who could afford motor-bikes could afford to have them marked.
Town mayor Cllr Maureen Byrne said: "With all the cutbacks we have in the town there are all sorts of really important things where the most vulnerable people are affected, and we are considering paying to protect people's property?"
The total is still declining, having begun at 220, then fallen to 70, 58 and now 40 over the four weeks since police accepted the issue as a priority after mass complaints at a public meeting.
However, they are still unable to move to the enforcement phase of the action because Suffolk County Council is dragging its feet over repainting the double yellow lines.
Sgt Sarah Bartley of Haverhill Safer Neighbourhood Team said the lines were supposed to have been painted on Sunday, but weren't, the second time the council has failed to do the work at the time it said.
"This is supposed to be a multi-agency campaign," said Sgt Bartley, "so our inspector will be getting on to them again to get them to do it."
She said police wanted to move to enforcement, but felt it was unfair at present because many of the lines have faded badly or disappeared completely.
Haverhill Town Councillors last week praised the police for the work they had done so far.
Deputy mayor Cllr Pat Hanlon said: "I would like to congratulate the police for all their efforts in High Street and Queen Street and I have noticed there have not been so many cars parked there."
Other parking issues in Haverhill came up at last week's town council meeting, such as a need for double yellow lines at the bottom of Wratting Road and in Orchard Close, but town clerk Gordon Mussett said these formed part of proposals from Suffolk County Council which were due to go out for public consultation soon.
However, Haverhill policeman PC Will Wright failed in his quest to get money from the town council to support a scheme to have motor-bikes in the town specially marked to defeat thieves.
He asked for £500 for each of three stages in the project, but councillors refused to give him any, saying people who could afford motor-bikes could afford to have them marked.
Town mayor Cllr Maureen Byrne said: "With all the cutbacks we have in the town there are all sorts of really important things where the most vulnerable people are affected, and we are considering paying to protect people's property?"
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