Wardens in parking hotspots blitz: VOTE

ROTHERHAM’S popular ‘free after three’ parking scheme has freed up parking wardens to crack down on wayward motorists in other areas.

The town centre parking scheme which means wardens are not needed after 3pm has freed up the council’sparking enforcement officers to step up patrols

across the borough.

The town centre parking scheme which means wardens are not needed after 3pm has freed up the council’sparking enforcement officers to step up patrolsacross the borough.

In fact they have undertaken periods of intense patrols at parking hot-spots across the town such as outside local schools.

Since May, the authority has offered free parking in Rotherham town centre after 3pm each day as an incentive to encourage shoppers to support the town centre businesses. But the 3pm free parking for some means others have to watch out.

Martin Beard, the council’s parking services manager said: “There is absolutely no doubt that all civil enforcement officers are fully engaged in their duties, even after 3pm each day.

"Parking enforcement is not just about checking 'pay and display' tickets in car windscreens.

“Our officers are there to ensure traffic flows freely and safely throughout the borough and so will maintain a significant number of parking restrictions which drivers need to observe.

“We patrol all parts of the borough, both in routine patrols and in reaction to reports of dangerous parking activity such as outside schools.

“We have recently undertaken a period of intense patrols at schools in various parts of the borough. This has resulted in significant success, with one school in particular, seeing a massive reduction in car usage by parents.”

Rosemary Richards, head teacher at Brampton Ellis Junior School, said: "The situation has improved significantly outside the school, with most parents now parking legally and, above all, safely."

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SHOPPERS are to get an early Christmas present from council chiefs...free Saturday parking running up to Christmas in the town centre

It will run from Saturday, November 21 to Saturday, December 26, providing a welcomed boost for town centre retailers and shoppers.

It will run from Saturday, November 21 to Saturday, December 26, providing a welcomed boost for town centre retailers and shoppers.

The move follows the popular Free after 3 parking scheme introduced earlier this year which recognises how important the cost of parking is to shoppers.

The council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Cllr Gerald Smith, said: "Retail is hugely important to the centre's economy and I hope that, by offering free parking on Saturdays, people will be encouraged to shop in Rotherham and retailers will see the benefit in these challenging times."

The scheme applies to all council run car parks and on-street parking bays, meaning around 1,500 spaces will be free all day Saturday and Sunday as well as after 3pm Monday to Friday.