Motorists indiscriminately parking in Stornoway had better watch out as the islands’ only traffic warden goes back to work.
Police Scotland had axed the traffic warden service as a cost saving measure saying it was the council’s responsibility.
Parking offences were decriminalised in 1997 in Scotland meaning police powers are no longer required to enforce parking legislation.
However, certain offences like dangerous parking still constitute a criminal act and would have bben enforced by police officers.
The police authority went back on an agreement for a temporary 18-
The warden was taken off traffic duties but was not made redundant and is still being paid to be based in an office at Stornoway police station.
Now the police authority has executed another u-
The temporary arrangement agreed by the Comhairle and others has now been restored for at least the next year and will allow discussions to take place, both locally and nationally, on other feasible options.
Kenny Murray, the Comhairle chair of Environment and Protective Services, said: “Comhairle nan Eilean Siar had support from the local MSP as well as the Highlands and Islands list MSPs and are satisfied by this conclusion which will ensure that the sensible proposal which had been worked out locally can continue to be implemented.
MSP Alasdair Allan, who raised the subject with Police Scotland last week, commented: “This is a sensible solution to a question which I, and others, have raised recently with Police Scotland. Namely how traffic warden services can be sustained during the current period of organisational change.
“As well as securing the traffic warden’s job I hope that this move leads to a better understanding between the police and Comhairle over how to move forward in future.”
Traffic warden back on parking offences patrol 11/3/14
There was no traffic warden service to monitor bad parking