An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) prohibiting parking on verges in Scawby and Sturton has now been made permanent by North Lincolnshire Council.
A council report on the issue explained: "Verge parking restrictions were implemented in Scawby and Sturton in November 2016. The local ward members and the Parish Council requested restrictions to reduce the incidence of verge parking affecting the communities in question.
"An experimental Order had been used to allow the council to address any issues that occurred as a result of the restrictions. No amendments were made to the original Order.
"One resident objected as they felt the restrictions were unnecessary as no-one parked on verges. Only one penalty charge notice had been issued since the introduction of the restriction.
"Since this Order, Community Protection Notices (CPN) had been introduced. These allowed the council’s Highways Officers to issue a CPN to anyone who damaged highway verges across the area. This new legislation allowed the council to issue warnings and official notices to those whose behaviour or actions were having a detrimental effect on the neighbourhood.
"CPNs would be issued for unreasonable and persistent acts of anti-social behaviour. Officers would determine if an offender should be given an £80 fixed penalty notice or be taken to court so that they could be made to repair the damage caused."
North Lincolnshire Council has now made the Order for Scawby & Sturton permanent and has decided that Community Protection Notices should be used as a supplementary way of dealing with any future verge parking issues that may arise.
NF ADDS: In 2013 this highways issue was discussed at a meeting of Brigg Town Council we attended. One of the questions was: Would cars and vans being parked on narrow roads, rather than grass verges, add to congestion and perhaps hamper emergency service vehicles? It was revealed that, following complaints about parking on verges, letters had been sent to people in some areas of the town. Coun James Truepenny said during those discussions in 2013 that the parking on verges issue was clearly going to affect a lot of people.
We can't recall this topic being raised in Brigg subsequently.
However, in February this year we received a news release from North Lincolnshire Council relating to "new powers" being used to tackle highway verge damage.
Cllr Richard Hannigan, as Cabinet Member for Safer, Greener and Cleaner Places, said:
“Damaging highway verges makes our neighbourhoods and streets look untidy. We want our area to look attractive for our residents and visitors.
“Carrying out the repairs to damaged verges is an avoidable cost and a cost that falls on the taxpayer. This is money could be better spent on other services.
“With these new powers we hope to prevent people from damaging verges in the first place. But for those who offend it will ensure they are held to account for their actions.”