Dedicated traffic warden to target illegal parking in bus lanes

A designated traffic warden will lead a crackdown on parking in bus lanes and at stops.

The Brighton & Hove City Council traffic warden will focus on inconsiderate, and in some cases illegal parking that obstructs buses in a bid to improve the air quality by keeping services moving.

The civil enforcement officer will work via the contractor NSL. They will primarily focus on bus routes when patrolling the streets of the city to ensure they are kept clear. The new focus is designed to reduce the sort of congestion that directly leads to delays to bus passengers.

It is hoped that this should lead to lower emissions.

Martin Harris, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Buses said: “We’re working closely with the council to ensure bus routes and bus stops are routinely kept clear – so there’s a higher risk a car user could face charges for inappropriate parking.

“We think this is an important step in our journey to reduce congestion and the knock-on delays to our passengers and also to improve the quality of air we all breathe.

“Buses that are unable to pull into stops because of inconsiderate parking also create safety hazards for passengers, drivers and other road users.”

As part of the warden’s job they will have to ensure bus stops have the correct instructions for drivers and that they are complying with them.

They will also meet with the council to help improve road signs and markings to ensure traffic flows smoothly.

The appointed warden has worked as a traffic warden in the city for almost a decade but traditionally has focused more on car permits.

Chair of the Transport Committee, Councillor Gill Mitchell, said: “I know it’s tempting to park in a bus stop for a few minutes, but a succession of drivers doing this can mean bus stops being obstructed for long periods each day.

“This often forces buses to stop in the road causing traffic jams. This new officer should help to keep all modes of transport moving.”

Although taxis and cycles can use most bus corridors, Blue Badge holders cannot. This scheme was introduced in 2003 with the aim of cutting congestion.

The council states that in cases where central city bus lanes and corridors do not permit cycling, then cyclists should be able to use the road or off-road cycle routes.

By Clare Calder