35 streets where cars can park illegally

TRAFFIC wardens can't enforce parking restrictions in 35 Cheltenham streets – because of dodgy yellow lines and misplaced signs.

A list of the roads in which there are places drivers can't be targeted if they park illegally has been released by Cheltenham Borough Council following a Freedom of Information Act request by the Echo.

Among the affected streets are Bath Road, the High Street and Montpellier Walk. Problems include faded yellow lines and misleading signs about residents only parking.

In St Paul's Lane, traffic wardens can't stop motorists from parking on the double yellow lines because they have disap- peared.

Glyn Thomas, who lives in the road, said he had confronted wardens to ask why they didn't ticket cars which were blocking the pavement and inconveniencing residents.

He said: "Last time I asked, they said they couldn't give out tickets in the road.

"I asked why and they just said the street was off limits to them, but they wouldn't say why. I'd wondered why that was the case and I guess this explains it. It does seem silly but I guess stuff will fade with time and there will be problems. But this has been like this for some time so the council should really sort it out a bit sooner."

Responsibility for fixing problems with parking restrictions lies with Glouc- estershire Highways.

Jim Daniels, parking manager for Gloucestershire County Council, said the time between problems being reported and fixed depended on a variety of factors.

He said: "It would depend on the severity of the error and the complexity of fixing it. Obviously, some areas are more of a priority than others and therefore require attention more quickly.

"But in some cases, it may have been 10 years or more since that restriction was put in place.

"In those cases, it is sometimes appropriate to look at changing the restrictions.

"If that happens, we quite rightly have to undergo a consultation process with residents before any action is taken."

Traffic wardens are responsible for reporting problems with parking restrictions and advising whether they are unenfor- ceable.

Final respons- ibility for deciding whether cars can be ticketed if parked illegally falls to Mr Daniels.

He said: "If parking restrictions are judged to be unen- forceable, that is final until action's taken."