Thanks, but no thanks

Sunderland Echo
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
by Ross Robertson

New city parking chief changes his mind about job offer

Red-faced roads chiefs have appointed a solicitor to work solely on overhauling traffic laws as part of a bid to mend the reputation of the city's disgraced car-parking system.
But the man appointed to oversee the new parking enforcement regime for Sunderland Council's highways department has decided he doesn't want the job.

Civic chiefs have been working to restore motorists' faith in parking since a damming TV documentary revealed racism and corruption among parking attendants in Sunderland last year.

Five attendants were sacked and National Car Parks, the private company operating Sunderland's parking enforcment, lost its on-street contract after the BBC's Inside Out programme was broadcast last October.

The council then suffered further humiliation when it was found that Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) governing parking in parts of Frederick Street were incorrect.

Council bosses have responded to the catalogue of blunders by drawing up a 24-point action plan to completely overhaul decriminalised parking enforcement in Sunderland and wipe out any remaining errors in the system.

As part of the shake-up, an additional solicitor has been appointed to work on parking regulations to help avoid legal pitfalls.Councillors met this week to discuss the progress being made on the changes with Bob Edwards, acting head of transport and engineering – the department which oversees parking in the city.

Mr Edwards said all but five of the 24 action-plan points had now been completed, and those outstanding were well on their way to being fulfilled.The action-plan includes new computer systems, improved ways of recording and tracking parking regulations and more checks to ensure the parking scheme and those who run it are acting correctly and legally.

Labour councillor Joe Lawson, the cabinet member responsible for transport, praised the work of Mr Edwards and said the changes could be ready to sign off by independent consultants as early as next month.

Speaking after the meeting, Conservative councillor Peter Wood said: "It seems to me that the council is slowly getting to grips with the problems, that it's getting the TROs right and the signs and lines in the right places.

But it was also revealed at the meeting that Mr Edwards was standing down from his interim post and there was nobody to replace him – because the man set to take over the job permanently has backed out.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Lawson confirmed that no one had been appointed as head of transport and engineering, though a man had got through to the interview stage but turned the job down after being offered it.