Foound! A way forward on village parking problems

Very good news this evening as Police Inspector Sutherland outlined the options in response to the challenge from local villages for something to be done about taking enforcement action on parking. In Whittlesford near the train station this is a regualr issue and in the past the police have issued tickets. Now due to the efficiency pressures - or budgets cuts - the police cannot make parking enforcement a priority.

There were various options discussed at the meeting, at the Spicers Pavilion at Sawston, but the one that will be taken forward is for villages - or groups of villages - to contribute to a grant fund, paying in £1,000 for 42 hours of PCSO time over a six month period to patrol with a specific emphasis on parking. Smaller villages could team up. The hours would be agreed in discussion with the parish council, and the whole scheme will be reviewed after six months. The benefit of the grant approach means that there are savings on admin. costts which would otherwise add to the bill. Lots of questions, but most reps went away happy that something workable can be taken forward. 

Yes, the cost is there, and that has to be borne in mind - but it does also mean we get PCSOs back on the streets, which is a good deterrent too.