It must have been several months since I last saw a 'proper' traffic warden in the city centre. When I say 'proper', I'm referring to the ones who wear mainly black uniforms with a yellow band around their caps. They are responsible for all the spaces that aren't operated by the council, i.e. the double yellow lines and loading bays.

Every day I see the same cars parked for hours on double yellow lines, dangerously close to the corner of the road or perhaps blocking access for the fire services. It seems to me that the only wardens Sheffield has (and there are a quite a lot of them!) are the ones who monitor the pay and display parking spaces.

It's ridiculous to allow people to park in dangerous places and then to witness a pay-and-display warden do nothing about it. Does anyone working for the police (I assume, or is it council who employs them from police?), or who knows someone there, have a figure for the number of traditional (black and yellow uniformed) traffic wardens operating in the city centre? Or, does anyone know if they are planning on letting the pay-and-display wardens monitor other areas away from the ones that make the council money?

PS. Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of tickets for parking on double yellows, not really loading in loading bays, etc., but at the same time, some people park so stupidly/dangerously every day and continue (for weeks!) to go unpunished. Also, lets not forget the traffic chaos that is caused by people parking on double yellow lines and blocking up Sheffield's already messed up traffic flow!

Originally posted by Geoff
PS. Don't get me wrong, I've had my fair share of tickets for parking on double yellows ------- lets not forget the traffic chaos that is caused by people parking on double yellow lines and blocking up Sheffield's already messed up traffic flow!

May I suggest you start with yourself for stopping people parking on double yellows and 'blocking up Sheffield's already messed up traffic flow'.

Or are you the only person in Sheffield who just happens to know where all the double yellow lines are that shouldn't be there and don't block anything!? :rant:

Lol, nice quote. What I was getting at is that we all park on double yellow lines sometimes (i.e. rarely - it would be naive to say we don't), but not all of us park on corners or blatantly blocking fire roads - and then continue to do this day after day while others are not only parking legally, but also paying for the pleasure.

They've all gone into hiding Geoff.

Don't forget fox hunting is no more after 18th, and something has to take its place.

Didn't realise that traffic wardens were involved in hunting? Or am I getting myself confused here :P

Originally posted by Geoff
Lol, nice quote. What I was getting at is that we all park on double yellow lines sometimes (i.e. rarely - it would be naive to say we don't), but not all of us park on corners or blatantly blocking fire roads - and then continue to do this day after day while others are not only parking legally, but also paying for the pleasure.

I'm not being naive, but I don't park on yellow lines. I never have and I don't ever intend too.

I'm fortunate in that I can afford to pay car parking charges, I have good eyesight to find the car parks nearby to where I want to go, and I have strong enough legs to carry me to where I want to go without breaking the law.

To try and categorise different types of double yellow lines by blocking/corners etc is ridiculous. You either park on yellow lines and break the law or you don't... :rant:

You're confused Geoff, VERY confused.

Something has to replace the fox, and the elusive pest in yellow and black fits the bill perfectly.:heyhey:

Ok, let me try and explain my original rant more clearly. If I've ever parked on a double yellow line (probably less than 10 times in the last 5/10 years) then it has been to collect/wait for someone. I'm talking about the same people parking dangerously on a daily basis (for hours or all day) and who are never prosecuted.

:help:

I'm trying to find the council reports, but wasn't there a decision to "decriminalise" illegal street parking. This would take the enforcement away from the police and into the hands of the council.

Here is one report to cabinet:
http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/index.asp?pgid=18808

They talk about implementation in spring 2005.
They also talk about some existing traffic wardens being found other employment in the police service and some transferring to the council.

Perhaps we are in a transition period of typical chaos.

Edit:
A call to the police confirmed that responsibilty will transfer in April but as of now most of their traffic wardens have found other work.
It would appear that there is no-one out there.

Originally posted by cgksheff
A call to the police confirmed that responsibilty will transfer in April but as of now most of their traffic wardens have found other work. It would appear that there is no-one out there.

:) Thank you! I was waiting to hear back from the police, but you beat me to it. I'm glad that my suspicion that Sheffield doesn't have many (or any!?) police traffic wardens appears to be based on fact! Unbelievable that there appears to be a month and a half gap in 'cover' and it goes some way to explaining why people keep parking on double yellows day after day!

Originally posted by cgksheff
They talk about implementation in spring 2005.
They also talk about some existing traffic wardens being found other employment in the police service and some transferring to the council.

Perhaps we are in a transition period of typical chaos.

Edit:
A call to the police confirmed that responsibilty will transfer in April but as of now most of their traffic wardens have found other work.
It would appear that there is no-one out there.
The Council can't do anything until the legislation changes in April.

So the Police shouldn't stop doing their job until then.

Anybody know what "other work" the traffic wardens are doing instead?

Originally posted by foo_fighter
So the Police shouldn't stop doing their job until then.
You're right, they shouldn't stop doing their job, but according to the report above (waiting to get it confirmed, but I'm sure he's right) they won't be doing a great deal as they don't have any staff left! This means the only people who will be prosecuted are those caught by normal police officers. Seems a bit odd to disband them before they are no longer needed!

Originally posted by Geoff
Seems a bit odd to disband them before they are no longer needed!
Totally agree, but it does seem typical of South Yorks Polices current priorities.

The old "Traffic" cops have been all but disbanded and replaced with "safety" cameras, and now, no more traffic wardens.

Net result, do what you want on the roads, as long as you don't stray 2mph over the speed limit.

Not good IMO.

I entered this thread thinking it was going to be about ethnic minorities! :blush:

Black and yellow traffic wardens indeed!

K x

They've had a secret lottery win
and joined the idle rich
They spend there time
Inventing rhyme
and listening to Pickety Witch.
They formed a group
who entertain the troop
They're called the Black and Yellow Traffic Warden show
singing of climb upon my knee and mammy mine
It beats plodding the streets
and performing strange feats
and they don't have to issue a fine.
But don't you relax too much
and think you can park where you like
'cause when the council take over
It'll be : On yer bike!

When im delivering parcels in the centre of town I park as close as I can to where I'm delivering to yellow lines or not (as long as its safe to do ) .If thats a pain for you then come and carry your own heavy parcel!!

I can tell you where they are - well, not the traffic wardens but the 'police' standing in for them; Ecclesall Road.
For the past few weeks there has been a bloke and a bird patrolling up and down at all times of the day giving out tickets galore.
They're also big into pouncing on delivery drivers dropping off packages at shops on the road before 9.30 am and, in the case of the female copper who seems very hype about it, giving them a real dressing down.

Originally posted by Sheffette
I can tell you where they are - well, not the traffic wardens but the 'police' standing in for them; Ecclesall Road.

I've seen them too. They tend to prey on drivers parked on double yellow lines on pomona street between 3.00pm and 3.30pm.

barstewards!! :x

Latest update on the situation from our beloved leader.

Keeping Sheffield Moving (http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/a-message-from-the-leader-of-the-council)

No mention of the targets, the revenue earner for the council and the illegal methods used by the wardens caught on the hidden cameras.

Anyone see Dispatches on C4 a couple of weeks ago ?

Originally posted by Cols
No mention of the targets, the revenue earner for the council and the illegal methods used by the wardens caught on the hidden cameras.

Anyone see Dispatches on C4 a couple of weeks ago ?
Which was all about private companies, not council (or police) wardens.

once we had parked on those streets behind argos in town where you can only stay for an hour.

well we came back 3 hours later n there was no ticket! yey!

Quote....

"The fine for a motorist who parks illegally will be £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. However, we are calling on all motorists to avoid these fines by not parking illegally and helping to keep Sheffield moving.

Money raised from fines will be used to cover the costs of employing the extra parking attendants."

So if nobody parks illegally they'll have to sack all these extra bodies they've taken on ? Or will they be kept on and their wages paid for out of our council tax ?

Wonder if they will be on commission - £5 out of every £30 they manage to 'collect' :mad:

Originally posted by Greybeard
Wonder if they will be on commission - £5 out of every £30 they manage to 'collect' :mad:
http://jobs.sheffield.gov.uk/job_details.asp?VacancyID=2038&NAV=G

and it says:

Post Title: Parking Attendants
Post Reference: SF56
Directorate: Development Environment and Leisure
Service Area: Street Force Parking Services
Location: Charles Street, Sheffield City/Citywide
Salary: Manual & Craft Grade 2 + Enhancements £16,114 per annum (including enhancements)
Closing Date: 31/03/2005
Post Details: Must be numerate and be able to display a firm but tactful and pleasant manner when relating to members of the public. Uniform is provided. Must be willing to work outside in all weathers with minimum supervision and be able to walk continuously for 2¼ hours on 4 occasions per shift. Parking Services are responsible for enforcing the Parking Regulations throughout Sheffield. These regulations include off street car parks, resident parking schemes, on street pay and display and waiting and loading restrictions. Parking Attendants are responsible for enforcing the parking regulations, assisting customers and members of the public and ensuring the service is delivered in an effective, efficient and courteous manner. 37 hours per week (4 x 9 ¼ hour shifts) Monday to Saturday. Previous applicants need not re-apply. The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Records Disclosure form in line with Section 113 of the Police Act 1997. We particularly welcome applications from ethnic minority communities and women as they are under-represented in this area of work. Sections 38(1)b of the Race Relations Act 1976 and 48(1)b of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply.
Hours: 37 per week
Contact Details: Street Force, Human Resources, Olive Grove Depot, Olive Grove Road, Sheffield, S2 3GE tel 0114 2735232 (24 hour recruitment line) e-mail deljobs@sheffield.gov.uk or see below for full details and apply online.

Apply if you're interested Greybeard :)

Originally posted by foxy27
When im delivering parcels in the centre of town I park as close as I can to where I'm delivering to yellow lines or not (as long as its safe to do ) .If thats a pain for you then come and carry your own heavy parcel!!

But thats what we pay people like you for, If you don't want to carry heavy parcels try a career change.

Has anybody been handed a parking ticket from the new Council Parking wardens yet.

I went down South Road at Walkley this morning during the urban clearway time zone,and there were loads of cars with tickets on the windscreens and about time to.

I agree, why not get extra revenue from thos that flout the law . maybe they will even ticket thos that feel they are above the law like council vans and police and such, give every one a good shake down I say.

I hope they come down our road soon. We get too many computers parking on our "resident permit only" spaces, and they never seem to get tickets! Is there a number to ring to complain?

Originally posted by Patchy
I hope they come down our road soon. We get too many computers parking on our "resident permit only" spaces, and they never seem to get tickets! Is there a number to ring to complain?

Can computers get parking tickets?

Originally posted by Patchy
I hope they come down our road soon. We get too many computers parking on our "resident permit only" spaces, and they never seem to get tickets! Is there a number to ring to complain?

Try this link to report any hotspots etc
parkingservices@sheffield.gov.uk

Originally posted by unners
Can computers get parking tickets?

Oooops I meant commuters lol. Thanks for the link, I will email them! :thumbsup:

I've seen loads of cars getting tickets on ecclesall road in the evening. Makes me smile on my way home from work :)

Dear Foo Fighter,

With regards the "where have all the traffic wardens gone" question, I know some people who used to be traffic wardens and most of them have now had a change of role and are now working as P.C.S.Os (Police and Community Support Officers)

As has been rightly pointed out earlier, the council now have the responsibility for the enforcement that the Traffic Wardens used to do, but on saying that, this may relate only to Sheffield as I saw what looked like a traffic warden in Swallownest last weekend but he simply walked past a vehicle parked on a zig zag approach to a zebra crossing, so perhaps he was an apparition.

Do you notice though that the PCSO has the word "officer" in their title, so when Tony down at no 10 promises however many officers he can think of off the top of his head that he is going to recruit to target his latest crusade, the dreaded hooded top chav gangs, then watch this space, they wont necessarily be police officers but officers none the less, so he can keep to his promise of providing the officers on the streets. !!

Originally posted by cgksheff

It would appear that there is no-one out there. Oh yes there is, I was driving down Ecclesall Rd this week towards Hunters Bar, and there was a car illegally parked in the bus lane by the tennis club. As I reached it an innocuous little white van with a roof bar with orange lights pulled away from in front of it. I noticed a ticket on the parked car's windscreen, and as I pulled alongside the van at the roundabout on the side in ordinary Council lettering were the words "Parking Control" or something similar, can't remember the exact words, but they're out there:suspect:

ALGY,

That will be one of the newly formed council parking patrols hence the white van with the orange light on the top.

Interesting to see that he drove off as soon as the ticket had been issued.

Possibly either a bus lane offender or a clearway offence.
The little white van will struggle to keep the clearways and bus lanes clear unless they are actually exempt and can travel down these lanes to enforce the restriction.

Bit of a pity that, because the traffic cops on the bikes could do the same job, get through traffic quicker, enforce the regulations, do the vehicle owner if they came back and were found to be lacking insurance, test, tax or maybe even lock them up for something they could be wanted for. ??

What the hell, its in the name of progress anyway somebody might say !

Saw a bit of bus lane enforcement the other day in town but that was by 2 female police officers who had chosen to issue a ticket to an errant motorist who had the audaicity to use the bus lane, but as they dealt with him, instead of pulling the vehicle out of the lane, it was left half blocking the bus lane with at least 1 bus stuck behind the vehicle as the bus couldnt get past due to the standing line of complying motorists in the other lane.

Didnt look very good, "havent they got anything better to do seemed to be echoing around us":rolleyes: