Where are Sheffield's black and yellow traffic wardens?

Geoff · 14-02-2005, 14:06

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!

beansfeast · 14-02-2005, 14:44

Quote:

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!?

Geoff · 14-02-2005, 14:49

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.

saxon51 · 14-02-2005, 14:50

They've all gone into hiding Geoff.

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

Geoff · 14-02-2005, 14:52

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

beansfeast · 14-02-2005, 14:56

Quote:

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...

saxon51 · 14-02-2005, 14:57

You're confused Geoff, VERY confused.

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

Geoff · 14-02-2005, 14:58

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.

cgksheff · 14-02-2005, 15:10

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.

Geoff · 14-02-2005, 15:40

Quote:

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!

foo_fighter · 14-02-2005, 15:45

Quote:

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?

Geoff · 14-02-2005, 15:47

Quote:

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!

foo_fighter · 14-02-2005, 15:55

Quote:

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.

Kristian · 18-02-2005, 03:01

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

Black and yellow traffic wardens indeed!

K x

Alanbro · 19-02-2005, 23:31

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!

foxy27 · 20-02-2005, 10:23

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!!

Sheffette · 20-02-2005, 11:00

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.

1_HotGal · 20-02-2005, 11:42

Quote:

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!!

cgksheff · 22-03-2005, 12:03

Latest update on the situation from our beloved leader.

Keeping Sheffield Moving

Cols · 22-03-2005, 12:57

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 ?