Bradford council considering parking 'red routes' to stop ignorant drivers

The measure is one of several that were suggested during a debate on anti-social parking, and an issue one councillor says “plagues” communities across the district.

Queensbury Councillor Luke Majkowski (Bradford South Independents) put forward a motion on the issue at the last meeting of Bradford Council, claiming irresponsible parking was a huge issue that needed to be tackled.

He said parking outside several schools in Queensbury was particularly bad.

Cllr Majkowski described anti-social parking as “a growing concern that plagues our communities".

He added: “It disrupts the flow of traffic causing a threat to the safety of pedestrians and other road users.

“It is even worse when this parking is in close proximity to schools, residential areas and bustling high streets.”

He said dangerous parking was a major issue outside schools in his ward, including Foxhill and Shibden Head Primary Schools, arguing such parking can “endanger lives.”

He said more action was needed to tackle the issue, and this could include enforcement cameras overlooking the areas outside primary schools and increasing the number of enforcement officers in the district.

He criticised the current policy of allowing people parked on double yellows a grace period of five minutes before they can be issued a ticket.

Cllr Majkowski said: “Allowing five minutes of parking on double yellow lines is not enough, especially in areas surrounding schools.”

He said the council should scrap this grace period, and told members of an instance when he went on patrol with enforcement officers.

They found numerous cars parked on double yellow lines, but the drivers all avoided tickets by driving off.

He added: “When the officers left, two of the vehicles that had been illegally parked drove pack and parked on the double yellows again.”

He also suggested “red routes” - similar to one outside Leeds Bradford Airport - could be implemented in problem parking areas.

Double red lines near Leeds Bradford Airport (Image: google)

In these areas, any parking on double red lines can be enforced immediately, with drivers given no grace period to move on.

He also hit out at people parking on grass verges, saying it can “destroy aesthetics” as well as costing the taxpayer in maintenance costs and harming “the charm of our communities". 

He called for the council to introduce traffic regulation orders to ban parking on grass verges.

He told the meeting that council data had showed that on February 1, 417 parking tickets had been issued by Bradford Council.

Of these, 60 were to unregistered vehicles.

Cllr Majkowski said: “That is 15 per cent of the total notices issued on that day.

“It is important we understand the gravity of this situation. By failing to register their vehicles these drivers send out a message they can operate outside the boundaries of responsibility.

“This is about creating a culture of responsibility and accountability.”

Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the Conservatives, said: “The five-minute observation period is an absolute pain.”

She questioned how Cllr Majkowski’s motion would be paid for by the cash-strapped council, but added: “The resources we do have need to be better deployed.”

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, executive for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “We need measures that aren’t preventing car use, but prioritise people, not cars.”

He pointed out that the council had introduced school streets around many schools – where traffic is limited around drop off and pick up times.

But, he added: “But with the resources it takes to enforce, we can’t have wardens outside every school, every day. Schools and parents need to have a role to play too.”

Referring to the suggestion of introducing red lines, he said: “Red routes can be complicated, as the system requires 24/7 CCTV coverage. But we are considering them on major transport schemes in the future. We are considering them already.”

He said the council’s budget position did limit what could be done to enforce parking on streets across the district.

The Labour group proposed an amendment to Cllr Majkowski’s motion that removed some of the proposals the council argued it would struggle to meet with its current budget.

Councillor Brendan Stubbs, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Bradford, said: “This is a massive issue for residents across the district.”

He suggested the council focus more on raising revenue from ticketing illegally parked cars rather than by introducing or raising parking charges at council-run car parks.

Referring to the Labour response to the motion, he said: “Just try harder – stop giving us the same answer every time.”

The Labour amendment to Cllr Majkowski’s motion was then approved.