Thame parking enforcement in limbo 12/03/10

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Council’s Chief Executive, David Buckle, has said that his council will not be taking over parking enforcement in Thame once the new Decriminalisation laws come into force next year, as the government wants it to do.

The government’s proposed fixed excess charges are more than those currently made by SODC, which, said Mr Buckle, would mean rate payers having to subsidise the operation.

The government has apparently stated that it is disappointed in the uptake by local authorities to take over parking enforcement, and wants to hear from them about why. SODC will be writing to the government with its views, assured Mr Buckle. He was speaking at a meeting of Thame Town Council on Tuesday, March 9.

Cllr Nigel Champken Woods said: “This is very worrying, particularly as our traffic warden, Peggy Long, will be retiring in September.

“At the moment, the police don’t want to know, SODC, don’t want to know, Oxfordshire District Council doesn’t want to know and the town council can do nothing, yet we get the flack. We will end up with parking anarchy in the town because no one will grasp the nettle!”

SODC Cabinet Member for Finance, Property, Economic Development and Facilities, Rodney Mann, replied: “The police can’t do everything. If the people of Thame think parking is a policing priority, they can let that be known through the NAG (Neighbourhood Action Group) which should then make it more of a priority for the police.

“We cannot expect everyone in the district to take up the cost.”

The Mayor, Cllr Jeannette Matelot Green said that she feared businesses would park everywhere which would leave less spaces for visitors to the town.

Mr Buckle suggested that the town council add its voice and write to the government too.

PHOTO: Thame’s Traffic Warden, Peggy Long, whose retirement in September 2010 could spark a parking ‘free for all’ in the town.