Council parking enforcer caught on double yellows (From Wimbledon Guardian)

It's well established and documented now that local authorities cannot be trusted with these powers, which they consistently abuse.

Any decent government would act in their duty of care towards the public.

It saddens me, how rotten this country has become.

Exactly the same van was parked on double yellow lines and obstructing a crossover on Queens Road yesterday afternoon (04/10/2012).

They may be allowed to park on double yellow lines but they should certainly not be allowed to obstruct the pavement as that car is doing.

This is illegal and dangerous. I couldn't care less whether they feel they can 'Park where they like'. say a child is walking down the pavement, due to the position the vehicle is parked in, they may be forced to walk in the road. I don't have to explain what could happen from there. This is why I don't drive, more hassle than it's worth these days.

Just to add to the quote given in the article.

“permitted by law to park where necessary to carry out their enforcement duties, and that includes yellow lines and box junctions”.

No mention of parking on Pavements, you will find. If possible, this should be reported to the police as it is an offense.

Obviously no one making comments has ever been to Lavender Avenue if they had they may have observed footway parking is permitted in the street and nearly every car is parked as such (conveniently cropped out of the photo above!).

Jay2010 wrote:
Just to add to the quote given in the article.

“permitted by law to park where necessary to carry out their enforcement duties, and that includes yellow lines and box junctions”.

No mention of parking on Pavements, you will find. If possible, this should be reported to the police as it is an offense.

Is it an offence? Since when? Parking was decriminalised in 1991 making footway parking a civil matter enforced by the Council where prohibited, however its permitted in most parts of Merton outside of the residents parking zones such as Mitcham.
Maybe if the readers are so against footway parking they should campaign to their local Councillor to have it banned borough wide, I'm sure the parking department would be happy to support such a move by issuing a few extra tickets. Maybe Omar Oakes who seems to have a keen interest in parking could get the campaign going and do something useful for the community for a change?

I oftern see one of the Parking Enforcement vehicles parked in the Recycling Bay in Waitrose in Raynes Park. I have never noticed the driver depositing any bottles, newspapers or anything else to recycle.

Tobermory wrote:

Jay2010 wrote:
Just to add to the quote given in the article.

“permitted by law to park where necessary to carry out their enforcement duties, and that includes yellow lines and box junctions”.

No mention of parking on Pavements, you will find. If possible, this should be reported to the police as it is an offense.

Is it an offence? Since when? Parking was decriminalised in 1991 making footway parking a civil matter enforced by the Council where prohibited, however its permitted in most parts of Merton outside of the residents parking zones such as Mitcham.
Maybe if the readers are so against footway parking they should campaign to their local Councillor to have it banned borough wide, I'm sure the parking department would be happy to support such a move by issuing a few extra tickets. Maybe Omar Oakes who seems to have a keen interest in parking could get the campaign going and do something useful for the community for a change?

Tobermory under the highways Act 1980 section 137 part one and two, page 120 and 121 obstruction of highways and Streets,

If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway he is guilty of an offence and liable to affine not exceeding £50. A constable may arrest without warrant any person whom he sees committing an offence against this section.

There is also an endorsable offence MS10 Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position. I guess although this is a grey area it could be argued that obstructing the footpath for pedestrians (that is who foot paths are for after all) is indeed - Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position. Especially when you consider (and you should consider) blind people, wheel chair users and children in baby carriages who are often "forced" onto the roads by inconsiderate parking.

A little bit of balance here please - this Merton CCTV enforcement vehicle is doing a great job enforcing traffic regulations. Having nearly been seriously injured by a vehicle jumping the lights at the notorious Queens rd/Centre Court crossing I am delighted that at last motorists who disobey traffic regulations are being caught. Well done Merton Council! Keep up the good work.

Mmmmmm. Blocking sidewalk to enforce traffic rules blocking motorist sight from signs? Sounds like entrapment which is prohibited here in America.

hawk1979 wrote:

Tobermory wrote:

Jay2010 wrote:
Just to add to the quote given in the article.

“permitted by law to park where necessary to carry out their enforcement duties, and that includes yellow lines and box junctions”.

No mention of parking on Pavements, you will find. If possible, this should be reported to the police as it is an offense.

Is it an offence? Since when? Parking was decriminalised in 1991 making footway parking a civil matter enforced by the Council where prohibited, however its permitted in most parts of Merton outside of the residents parking zones such as Mitcham.
Maybe if the readers are so against footway parking they should campaign to their local Councillor to have it banned borough wide, I'm sure the parking department would be happy to support such a move by issuing a few extra tickets. Maybe Omar Oakes who seems to have a keen interest in parking could get the campaign going and do something useful for the community for a change?

Tobermory under the highways Act 1980 section 137 part one and two, page 120 and 121 obstruction of highways and Streets,

If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway he is guilty of an offence and liable to affine not exceeding £50. A constable may arrest without warrant any person whom he sees committing an offence against this section.

There is also an endorsable offence MS10 Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position. I guess although this is a grey area it could be argued that obstructing the footpath for pedestrians (that is who foot paths are for after all) is indeed - Leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position. Especially when you consider (and you should consider) blind people, wheel chair users and children in baby carriages who are often "forced" onto the roads by inconsiderate parking.

If thats the case then any parked vehicle is guilty of obstructing the highway and all drivers should be arrested, lmao!!