Fresh blow to Port Talbot residents in parking battle
LIFE has become hell with a capital H for fed-up residents in Port Talbot.
They have complained about problem parking in areas of Baglan, particularly in streets close to an IT centre on the Baglan Primary School site.
Now they are angry after discovering that even paying the council £250 to have H-bars painted across their drives may not be enough to deter motorists from causing problems.
During previous Baglan Pact meetings there were complaints that some people were blocking driveways.
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Offence
However, police have since explained that this is only an offence they can deal with if there is a car on the drive, which would be unnecessary obstruction.
One disgruntled resident said: "Why is the council charging to have H-bars painted when you're saying anyone can park there if the car isn't on the drive?
"The council is still charging £250 for that yet it doesn't do any good.
"We were under the impression we could have them put down and if anyone parked there we could call the police and have the vehicle towed away."
PC Dale Davies said: "From my point of view, speaking as a citizen, I don't know what the point is if the law is the same regardless of whether there's paint there.
"I suspect there are by-laws that are enforceable by the traffic wardens, otherwise it's pointless.
"Can we ask what the council's powers are in relation to H-bars?"
PCSO Emma Everson suggested traffic wardens should attend the next Pact meeting.
"They know their powers inside out so they would be the ones best equipped to answer your questions," she said.
Inquiries
Baglan councillor Peter Richards said he would make inquiries with the council and ask someone from the parking section to attend.
He said he had also contacted the manager of the IT centre, which is on the Baglan Primary School site but not part of the school itself.
Mr Richards added: "He told me he had emailed every member of staff to tell them to use the car park inside the school whenever possible.
"If it is still happening, take the registration details. I will pass them on and ask him (the manager) to chase it up."
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