A verbal update will be given.

David Rees, Group Leader – Road Safety, gave an update to the Committee on grass verge parking. He reported that there were limitations as to what the Council could do but they were working hard with police colleagues who could take action on obstructive parking. He circulated a leaflet which had been produced, ‘Pavement Parking Is Not Fine’ which was put onto windscreens in particular problem areas. It didn’t necessarily stop the problem but the Council could only take action if it could prove that somebody was damaging their property.

Action could be taken with specific traffic regulation orders as had happened at nine sites in Wirral but these required funds to implement.

Responding to comments from Members, David Rees stated there was a need to educate people regarding alternative modes of transport. TROs could be used but signage was required every so many metres. Some other authorities had carried out an area by area audit. The Council was reacting to the problem areas as they didn’t have the resources to leaflet everywhere.

A Member suggested that a leaflet could be sent out with the Council Tax notification letter and parents parking outside schools could also be targeted.

In connection with this item, the Chair reported that a question had been received from Ms Limb, a Moreton resident and the response from Dave Rees was as follows:

“Verge and pavement parking is a complex issue, and unless there is a specific traffic regulation order (either a yellow line in operation or a separate verge/pavement parking TRO), the Council doesn’t have any specific powers to take action against drivers. The current initiative on pavement parking aims to make drivers more aware of the problems that it can cause, particularly relating to obstructive pavement parking. In these instances we may issue a warning notice to the vehicle and keep details of the registration number, time, location etc. Where we find repeated problems we may pass this information to the police to see if they wish to undertake enforcement (prosecutions).

In dealing with such issues, it is important that we operate correctly and within the law. The legislations available to take action are somewhat complex but in essence relate to:

·  Wirral Council can take action where we have a traffic regulation order relating to waiting or specifically around footway & verge parking.

·  Wirral Council could take action where we can identify and prove (to a legal standard) that a specific driver (not vehicle) has caused damage to our property.

·  Merseyside Police can take action where they can prove unnecessary obstruction.

·  Merseyside Police can take action where they can prove driving on the footway.

Warnings have previously been issued to vehicles parked obstructively on footways in Croft Drive and Grampian Way, Moreton. This will be investigated by the Council’s Road Safety Officer and the matter discussed with the police if required.”

The Constituency Manager informed the Committee that eight questions had been received in advance from members of the public and officers had been asked to respond.

A Member queried why officers had been made aware of the questions before elected Members as Members might wish to contribute to a response.

The Chair commented that it was for officers to respond to these questions.