Forum Topic

Is Parking Enforcement a necessary activity?

Hounslow Council have announced that they are going to continue enforcing parking restrictions. Given that the amount of traffic is down and there isn't much demand for parking spaces at the moment, what public benefit is being achieved by doing this? What it does to is create unwanted problems and expense for people who need to drive and park to support isolated elderly relatives.

Francis Rowe ● 2417d14 Comments

It discourages unnecessary journeys so probably a good thing on balance.If people knew there was a parking free-for-all there is a possibility they would flock to visit friends and relations thus compromising the govt's social distancing strategy.

Will Watson ● 2417d

But for those who are driving to essential work rather than using public transport (to be safe), it will cost them a fortune.  With any decision being made at the moment, it's a catch 22.

Jojo Finn ● 2417d

Well you can probably guess what my answer to that is...

Will Watson ● 2417d

Is encouraging unnecessary journeys by car currently a policy objective? In the strange times we live in it may be an idea to say to people use the car rather than walking because this reduces the risk of cross infection. I've noticed the determination to social distance is not universal (see for instance thread on joggers) and it is far from clear to me that I should be walking to the shops not driving. In Chiswick it would also reduce pressure on Sainsbury's because some may just be shopping there for the free parking.

Paul Corcoran ● 2417d

It is clearly not necessary and what double standards from Steve Curran to condemn Chiswick shops and shoppers while at the same time sending out people to earn money on his behalf. If just one traffic warden was infectious there could be a very significant number of extra cases.Ealing seem to be more pragmatic, at least in residential areas as I haven't seen a warden or a ticket on a car since the crisis started. The DVLA apparently are clamping cars for non-payment of tax in the area which, given that it is unclear whether going to get your MOT is an essential journey, is a bit rich. There is a lack of joined up thinking in government.

Anita Blake ● 2417d

Not to mention the esteemed Cllr Curran drives a bloody great Range Rover 4x4 - oh the hypocrisy !

Loraine Pemberton ● 2417d

I understood that garages for MOTs are currently open?

Philippa Bond ● 2416d

The garages may be open but is the journey to get the test counted as a necessary one. An immediate three month suspension of test would resolve the issue. If the DVLA are clamping at the moment it is just another indication that the public sector does not deem itself subject to the same rules as the rest of us.

Francis Rowe ● 2416d

"If just one traffic warden was infectious there could be a very significant number of extra cases."Surely no one gets that close to a traffic warden. The days of Lovely Rita, Meter Maid are long gone.

Ken Munn ● 2416d

Warden touches ticket driver picks it up?

Adrian Irving ● 2416d

What Ealing is doing:https://ealingnewsextra.co.uk/

Philippa Bond ● 2416d

I haven't heard of any issues about parking tickets being dished out in Ealing, can't really speak for Hounslow.The contract that the borough has with Serco essentially puts pressure on the contractor to issue as many tickets as possible. The hope would be that the council has told Serco that they will be paid regardless and their staff are to act as old style traffic wardens trying to make sure that traffic flows rather than revenue collectors. The council aren't going to explicitly confirm this because they would be acknowledging the nature of their arrangement with Serco.

Mark Evans ● 2416d

The requirement of MOT tests has been suspended for six months.

Kevin Howard ● 2416d

Seems a long time.  They should have done 3 months at this stage.  Based on this, it could all be over in weeks:https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-half-uk-population-oxford-university-study-finds-a4396721.html

Al Webber ● 2416d