A city traffic warden in Brighton & Hove is to focus on inconsiderate parking that obstructs buses in a bid to improve the city’s air quality by keeping services moving.
The Civil Enforcement Officer – who works via contractor NSL – is to focus on bus routes when she patrols the streets of Brighton & Hove, ensuring they are kept clear. The new focus is designed to reduce the sort of congestion that directly leads to delays to bus passengers.
Brighton & Hove Buses’ Managing Director, Martin Harris, 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 the 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.”
Chairman of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, Cllr 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.”
The warden’s job includes ensuring bus stops have the correct instructions for cars and in turn they are complying with them. As part of her job, she’ll also be meeting up with the council to help improve road signs and markings to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
