12:41pm Monday 7th September 2009
By Oliver Evans
THE Bucks Free Press today reveals the ten places in Wycombe district where drivers are most likely to get a parking ticket.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show High Street, Marlow got the most tickets, 1,763, since council bosses took over warden duties in October.
This was one in twelve tickets and almost three times the second most ticketed street, Priory Road in High Wycombe town centre, where 615 fines were handed out.
Overall Wycombe District Council has handed out 21,315 tickets worth a maximum £1.3m in 11 months. Of these, 1,336 were cancelled after challenges, worth a maximum £78,320.
Tickets are £70 or £50 depending on type of violation. Costs are halved if drivers pay in 14 days but increased by 50 per cent if payment is not made within two months.
The most ticketed streets are:
1. High Street, Marlow 1,763
2. Priory Road, High Wycombe 615
3. Desborough Road, High Wycombe 600
4. Riley Road, Marlow 403
5. Institute Road, Marlow 356
6. High Street, High Wycombe 346
7. Frogmoor, High Wycombe 322
8. Castle Street, High Wycombe 319
9. Easton Street, High Wycombe 282
10. Liston Road, Marlow 274
The top ten make up about a quarter of all tickets with 5,280 slapped on vehicles.
There has been controversy over how the council’s team of traffic wardens has enforced regulations with some claiming lines and signs are unlawful (see links, bottom of story).
The authority is carrying out a review of all regulations – but has continued handing out tickets while this takes place.
Cheryl Evans, who runs Counter Culture record shop in Desborough Road, said wardens are “quite over-zealous”.
“They could show a little more discretion,” she said.
And Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce has said there is a “hunting mentality” among parking wardens which was putting off shoppers.
Traders say shoppers overstay on the one-hour free bays in the High Street, landing them tickets. These should be extended by an hour, a petition backed by stores urge.
Andy McCready, president of Marlow Chamber of Trade, agreed wardens were “over zealous”.
He said: “I am surprised at the number of tickets issued in Marlow as opposed to tickets issued in other areas.
“We're trying to encourage shoppers to come to Marlow not scare them away.”
Marlow town parish councillor Suzanne Brown said warden can be over zealous but added: “God forbid we go back to how it was with people parking all day, clogging up the High Street.”
Cllr Audrey Jones, responsible for parking at the council, said the top ten reflected the popularity of the streets and the positive changes in Marlow had been “remarkable”.
She denied wardens were over-zealous. She said: “We have many comments from people who say they are doing a good and responsible job.
“More people are not narked because they can now park sensibly.”
Fines went back into running the service, which is not for profit, she said.
Police previously handed out tickets, though this was a low priority for PCs.
The district council patrolled High Wycombe town centre before taking over the district as well.
Motorists whose ticket was not cancelled by the council can appeal to the national Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Its most recent figures for the council are not available.
A “considerable proportion” of tickets going through the appeals process, the council said, raising the prospect of more being cancelled.
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