Maidenhead & Windsor

Maidenhead Town Partnership has welcomed a clampdown on illegal parking, which has proved to be ‘a huge success’ since new policing was introduced in July.

Figures supplied by Thames Valley Police show that four times more parking tickets were issued in July and August compared to June, the month before two police community support officers (PCSOs) were appointed specifically to patrol Maidenhead town centre as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Initiative.

In June, 74 tickets were issued by the PCSOs to drivers parking on double yellow lines or otherwise parking irresponsibly; in July the numbers rose to 330 and in August 274.

The PCSOs were appointed following lobbying by Maidenhead Town Partnership, the Royal Borough and Maidenhead and District Chamber of Commerce to solve the problem of increased illegal parking. A strain on resources had previously led to the police cutting back on the number of regular officers patrolling the town centre.

Parking regulations in Maidenhead will continue to be administered by PCSOs until the Royal Borough takes over enforcement of on-street parking in January 2008.

Cllr David Burbage, chairman of the Maidenhead Town Partnership, said: “This initiative has been a huge success. Residents, workers and visitors to Maidenhead town centre had to endure the inconvenience and irritation of selfish and inconsiderate drivers parking illegally for far too long and we are delighted that this unacceptable situation is being addressed.

“We welcome the Royal Borough’s plan to take over parking enforcement early next year but in the meantime the PCSOs are doing a great job of bringing the parking situation back under control through encouragement and, where necessary, enforcement.

“Already businesses and residents have remarked on the increased police presence in the town and the easier access to shops for pedestrians.”

Inspector Mark Millward of the Thames Valley Police said: “Our PCSOs are continuing to issue an average of 300 parking tickets a month in Maidenhead town centre. Although parking is their top priority at the moment, this is only one of the many problems they are able to deal with. I would encourage members of the public and businesses to approach the PCSOs when they see them on patrol and raise any other concerns they may have, so that these can be resolved by the town centre neighbourhood policing team.

“On the subject of parking, I would like to remind all motorists, including those entitled to park in the town centre, to show consideration to other road users at all times.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead