Published: 07/03/2010 07:00 -
Updated: 07/03/2010 10:24
Cllr Charles Royden and the traffic warden
Bedford’s deputy mayor Charles Royden stepped in front of an illegally parked car to stop the driver avoiding a fine in a clampdown outside a school.
It happened on Friday, during a joint operation between Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire Police, at St Thomas More Catholic School, Brickhill, launched after two youngsters were recently run over outside schools in Bedford.
The woman had parked on yellow lines on a corner off Tyne Crescent and was aiming to drive away but she was given a parking ticket by a warden after being approached by Cllr Royden. She was then left sitting in her illegally-parked car to read the £70 penalty notice which was issued to her.
Dave Hawkey, the local police officer for Brickhill, said because the school had no natural catchment area pupils were coming from all over Bedford.
He said: “It’s total chaos, the traffic gets all snarled up. It’s been a big issue. We have put up posters but that has not solved the problem, it’s just moved the traffic up the road.”
An 80-year-old resident of Tyne Crescent, who we agreed not to name, said: “It’s terrible, it’s very, very bad.
Sometimes it’s really hard to get into my own drive. I have to make sure I don’t come home at this time of day so I can avoid it.”
Cllr Royden said: “There are plans for increased parking restrictions here.
“The lives of residents are being made a misery. Some folk will park on the driveways and will refuse to move until their children have got in the car. People are that inconsiderate.”
In total, two Penalty Charge Notices and four Penalty Warnings were issued.
The school has 854 pupils between the ages of 13-16 and is served by six school buses.
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