Council staff face abuse from motorists as thousands of tickets issued.
Poor and inconsiderate drivers have seen a crackdown on their parking habits in Bletchley and Fenny Stratford as the Labour administration on Milton Keynes City Council continues to tackle illegal stopping.
But the move has led to a rise in threats and abuse from disgruntled motorists, leading to Civil Enforcement Officers having to work in groups for their own safety.
As the council continues its battle with bad parkers, on average 16 tickets a day are being issued in Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. This enforcement action focuses on known hotspots, including Queensway, Duncombe Street, Tavistock Street and Osbourne Street.
More than 2500 Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) have been issued in Bletchley this year alone, the highest number outside CMK city centre. But council staff issuing tickets are being faced with verbal and physical abuse, threats and intimidation from drivers responsible for thoughtless parking.
It comes as work is currently underway to improve Bletchley’s High Street, as part of the Queensway Improvement Scheme. The investment will see permanent preventative parking measures, continuous pavements, raised road crossings, better lighting, more trees and bike hub lockups.
“We know local people raise anti-social parking a lot when we talk to them,” said Cllr Pete Marland, Labour Leader of Milton Keynes City Council. “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.
“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.
“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.”
“As local Labour ward councillors for the area 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,” added Cllr Ayesha Khanom, Labour ward councillor for Bletchley Park.
“It is good to see the issue of illegal town centre parking being taken seriously and the high level of PCNs,” said Cllr Nigel Long, Labour ward councillor for Bletchley Park.
“However, 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 them moving their vehicles upon seeing the officers.”
