Drastic action is being taken by the town council in a bid to end Newport’s parking crisis.
The council is calling for a change in legislation to allow Community Support Officers (CSOs) to hand out parking tickets, while efforts are made to decriminalise the offence.
The council is keen for a Civil Parking Enforcement to be introduced -which would see Telford &?Wrekin Borough Council take control of parking tickets - allowing Newport to have a firmer grip on drivers who flout the current rules
Plans for short stay zones in existing car parks such as New Street and Stafford Street are also in the pipeline to allow a more regular flow of traffic through the town.
The issue was discussed at Wednesday’s Community Safety Committee meeting in the Guildhall.
Town clerk Lee Jakeman will now put the suggestions forward to the borough council at a crunch meeting in mid March with borough council leader Andrew Eade and clerks from Oakengates and Wellington town councils - two towns blighted by similar problems.
Town mayor, Councillor Roy Scammell said CSOs have been given the power elsewhere in the country.
He said: “I know certain police forces do have CSOs issuing parking tickets and I think it’s a good idea.”
Community Safety Commitee chairman Councillor Tony Forrester also backed the plan.
“I think the CSOs do a wonderful job - we don’t want them to become traffic wardens - but it would make them more useful,” he said.
“The argument against it is that the police force do not necessarily want them doing a confrontational job but I think they should be able to use the power when necessary.”
The town council voiced concern about the issue through a letter to Telford & Wrekin Council 14 months ago.
The matter was due to go before the scrutiny committee but never made it through.
The borough council said it would need delegated authority from the Home Office to take on the responsibility - which may take up to two years.
Councillor Glyn Gratton, who is a shop owner on High Street, said people ignore the CSOs because they know they can get away with it.
He said: “We have limited parking space in the town. Business is surviving and thriving and there is great demand for space. The situation will only get worse so we need to manage the space we have as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
The committee voted in favour of allowing CSOs to carry out ticketing. A letter is being sent to West Mercia police for consideration.
