Council parkers brought to book (From Wiltshire Times)
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Council parkers brought to book at Trowbridge library
4:00pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in Wiltshire By Chris Melvin
A car bearing a Wiltshire Council staff pass parked in a space reserved for library users at County Hall in Trowbridge
USERS at Trowbridge’s newly revamped library have found themselves unable to park as Wiltshire Council staff take up spaces reserved for the public.
The new library was unveiled by the council in September as part of the £24m refurbishment of County Hall, which had its official opening today, but staff based at the new HQ have been using the 42 spaces reserved for the public, to the frustration of visitors.
On a number of occasions in the last week staff from the Wiltshire Times have observed cars with Wiltshire Council staff badges in those spaces, despite being entitled to free parking in the County Hall car park.
John Fairbrother, of Alderton Way, is among those who have found it hard to get a space. He said: “It’s a disgrace. It’s so badly organised. I had a word with the library manager and she agreed it needs to be sorted. It’s a lovely library, and it should be for what’s been spent on it, but they just haven’t thought things through.”
Cllr Graham Payne said he had four residents approach him to complain about the situation within a week.
He said: “It is imperative that the general public are given at least 40 car parking spaces outside the library in Trowbridge so that they can access the facilities.
“At the moment it’s choc-a-block with staff cars. It’s a problem that has to be addressed pronto.”
He said he feared problems with car parking would have a knock-on effect of reducing shopping trips to the town centre.
The library is larger than its predecessor across Bythesea Road, and contains 40,000 books, with free WiFi access, self-service technology and a reference section. The adjacent reception and courtyard café is intended to allow people to meet up with councillors and officers to discuss their issues.
The council has apologised. A spokesman said: “We would like to apologise to any member of the public who has been unable to park at the new library.
“Wiltshire Council staff are aware they should not park in the designated car parking spaces for library customers. Thank you for alerting us to the concerns raised by library customers.
“We will monitor the situation closely and continue to advise staff not to occupy the visitor parking bays.”
Comments(14)
The.Central.Scrutinizer
says...
10:13am Sat 3 Nov 12
...........
"advise" doesn't sound strong enough to me.
carer 123
says...
2:59pm Sat 3 Nov 12
carer 123
says...
3:02pm Sat 3 Nov 12
blindingly obvious wrote:tesco and sainburys wouldnt be impressed at you suggesting people park there and go elsewhere .. it wasnt that long ago that someone was fined i believe for taking to long to do their shopping and they were disabled
The old efficient library car park was amazing. What has changed,why are there more council workers in trowbridge now,is it because Wilts council is selling off and closing loads of their buildings.I would recommend you use Tesco or sainsbury free parking and enjoy the walk,time and life tempo permitting of course! And providing you can get all your council issues and library things done inside 3 hours
weasels ripped my flesh
says...
4:50pm Sat 3 Nov 12
The.Central.Scrutinizer
says...
6:15pm Sat 3 Nov 12
it seems ridiculous to make a huge and positive statement with the new library but leave parking as an unmonitored grey area where cads and bounders will take advantage.
beetawix
says...
11:26pm Sun 4 Nov 12
Disabled as well as fined? Harsh!
blindingly obvious
says...
5:42am Mon 5 Nov 12
beetawix wrote:carer 123 got it wrong, they weren't fined at all. They were just given a gentle warning.
carer 123 beleives someone was fined for taking to long to do their shopping and they were disabled.
Disabled as well as fined? Harsh!
http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/news/article-
498032/Tesco-threate
ns-fine-pensioners-t
aking-long-shop.html
http://www.thisiswil
tshire.co.uk/news/18
64288.oaps_boycott_s
tore_after_warning_l
etter/
Sadly the Gentleman concerned passed away at the beggining of this year. RIP Roland
old 'arry
says...
2:37pm Mon 5 Nov 12
The.Central.ScrutiniHear Hear!! How about "told"????
zer wrote:
Council said “We will monitor the situation closely and continue to advise staff not to occupy the visitor parking bays.”
...........
"advise" doesn't sound strong enough to me.
yeold6x
says...
11:49pm Tue 6 Nov 12
notscot
says...
9:10am Wed 7 Nov 12
notscot
says...
9:12am Wed 7 Nov 12
brian153
says...
8:00am Thu 8 Nov 12
notscot
says...
2:31pm Thu 8 Nov 12
brian153 wrote:Unfortunately - the senior council management team will not allow their Parking attendants to use discretion. Or local knowledge. Or common sense. They are told to ticket in every instance, failing to do so - for whatever reason - could lead to disciplinary action against the attendant.
I have today received a ticket for parking in New Road(where I live) for parking just slightly outside of the box. I came home tired from work at 1.30am and there was just enough room to get my car into. The Warden who issued the ticket knew me,knew my car and issued the ticket. I only has to move it one turn of the wheel to place it perfectly in the bay. (which I did the moment he informed me of the reason for the ticket. HOW does that action, benefit the unnecassary restriction in New Road or lead to having any respect for the law. For years prior to this new enforcement County Hall empolyees parked all day in our road without any problems.
The council can't make money out of parking fines if they allow their staff to use a bit of common, can they?
Most people pay up rather than fight - so the council likes to send snotograms that imply they are right, you are wrong - and proving otherwise ould be costly. Sharks.
blindingly obvious says...
7:43am Sat 3 Nov 12