Clampdown on parking

It is hoped a crackdown on illegal parking in Southwell will stop people using double yellow lines outside the town centre banks.

Southwell Safer Neighbourhood Group wants to work with the police and Civil Parking Enforcement to stop illegal parking on Church Street and Westgate.

A member of the group, Mr Brendan Haigh, said flagrant breaches of parking regulations were being committed outside the banks on those streets.

He said people were also parking on the zig-zag lines around the zebra crossing on Church Street.

Enforcement of double yellow lines was taken over by Civil Parking Enforcement in May and is managed by Newark and Sherwood District Council.

The council’s community services manager, Mr Jim Besson, said: “We have been made aware of this particular problem in Southwell and have directed our parking wardens to check this area on their regular visits.

“Fixed penalty notices will be given to those flouting parking regulations.”

The police still have the power to prosecute people for parking on zig-zag lines or for obstructing the crossing itself.

They can issue a fixed penalty of three points and a fine.

The beat officer for Southwell, Pc Tony Hayes, said: “We have obviously asked people not to park there.

“It is just before the mini roundabout and the pedestrian crossing and there is not a lot of access to the cash point machine.”

Pc Hayes said his advice would be to use the carpark on Church Street, where parking is free for the first two hours, and walk up to the banks from there.

He said cars parked illegally along the street could cause problems for other road users.

“The trouble is if a large lorry or bus comes that causes a blockage.

“There are also road works there at the moment,” he said.

Pc Hayes said although the police would not specifically target the area, they would be actively dealing with the problem.

“If you target it obviously people can see the police vehicle and don’t park there,” he said.

“It is better for us to catch them as we’re out and about.

“If they move immediately the problem is resolved, but if we go round the corner and they’re still there we will prosecute them.”