Wardens rake in £150,000 for council
ALMOST £150,000 has been raised by parking fines in Swansea in just five months.
More than 7,000 motorists have received parking fines since the local authority took over responsibility for issuing tickets.
Between September 1 last year and January 31, the council has dished out hefty fines which have seen them cash in £147,919.
However, while the council is receiving money for each ticket issued, a council spokesman said the authority was only responding to people breaking the rules.
He said: "Since taking over civil parking enforcement responsibilities last year we issued 7,106 penalty charge notices because of people parking inconsiderately. If people don't park inconsiderately, they won't receive a penalty charge notice." and we'd be more than happy to issue no such notices."
The income that is generated from the fines is ring-fenced and put back into maintaining the civil parking enforcement service.
Any extra money left over will be ploughed into helping improve transportation services in the city, such as car parks and park and ride.
A council spokesman said: "Our main focus has always been to discourage people from parking inconsiderately and causing an obstruction to pedestrians and other road users and we've received a great deal of support from the public who have contacted us to ask for our civil parking enforcement officers to patrol their areas."
Depending on the severity of the parking offence, some of the tickets issued are £70 and others will be £50. If tickets are paid within 14 days, there is a 50 per cent discount.
But one motorist parking their car in Swansea on Saturday, who did not want to give their name, claimed the fines were just a money-making exercise. for the council.
"I can understand it when someone is parked dangerously on double yellows, but there is just nowhere to park for free anymore in Swansea, and if you need your car in work, you're forced to cough up huge sums every week or gamble on not getting a ticket."
25 Comments
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by leighton, swansea west
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 11:16PM
“lol @ the taxi driver lol”
by Mike Jones, swansea
Wednesday, February 25 2009, 7:56PM
“Everyone seems to be missing the point here which the council will love. hasn't anyone stopped to wonder WHY there is such a problem? Could it be something to do with the fact the council seem hell bent on building on every car park they have? i am totally against people parking where they can cause an obstruction but this is just about making yet more money out of motorists!”
by Taxi Driver, York St Rank, Swansea
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 3:13PM
“Well Leighton, from Swansea West, I would love to know where u work so that we can all come and park outside your office. We the taxi drivers are constantly threatened by the Police because of your selfish parking outside Vue Cinema on the TAXI RANK, It is marked Taxi Rank for a reason, so us the taxi drivers can park on it while we wait for fares, NOT for the general public to park. Hurry up Traffic Wardens and book the likes of Leighton, who thinks he is untouchable”
by Chris, Uplands
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 2:20PM
“John, Swansea you are absolutely right. Where are these wardens on a Friday lunchtime when you cannot even drive around Page Street and St Helens Road for illegal parkers. NO sign of them then.”
by Nic, Swansea
Tuesday, February 24 2009, 9:26AM
“The parking wardens don't seem to have found Eaton Crescent in the Uplands yet. It is filled with people illegally parking in Residents spaces.”
by steve, penlan
Monday, February 23 2009, 11:05PM
“traffic wardens what a joke,you see 2 walking by primark once every 2weeks,looking at the occasional car.when do they work until midnight they are rarely seen in daylight let alone night,so where are all these tickets issued,have you tried to drive down castle st at night cars parked on zigzags by traffic lights and they all get away with it.”
by leighton, swansea west
Monday, February 23 2009, 9:48PM
“this is fantastic news, i park on double yellow lines constantley and always take full advantage of tesco when i head into town along side with the same @ parc tawe and always leave the car by vue for a film or a bite to eat. never been caught once , come on wardons catch me if you can.”
by jamo36, penllergaer
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:57PM
“I wish something would be done on brynymor road swansea as i allways pass there throughout the day and it is blocked by cars and lorrys you never see traffic wardens around there?I was also told if you park on single yellow lines that nothing could be done even if your blocking the way”
by John, Swansea
Monday, February 23 2009, 8:07PM
“If common sense is applied, I have no problem with these traffic wardens.
But I would like to see them around Page Street and St Helens Road EVERY, no ANY, Friday between 12:00 and 1:00 and Oystermouth Road in the morning after 8:00.”
by kelly, swansea
Monday, February 23 2009, 6:35PM
“Traffic wardens should have a shift patterns.6am till 2pm and 2pm till midnight then there wouldnt need to pay then overtime”