More than 170 drivers caught in no parking zone in the Bath street with no yellow lines
More than 170 drivers are being caught out each year by the absence of double yellow lines highlighting parking restrictions in an historic Bath street.
Bath Street, which runs from Stall Street to the Thermae Bath Spa, is a no parking zone, but because of the historic nature of the area the traditional lines were replaced by signs more than ten years ago.
However, it is proving confusing to those who do not know the area well, with traffic wardens handing out 532 parking tickets over the past three years, which amounts to around three and a half each week.
It seems it is such a ticket hotspot that Google StreetView’s image of the road includes a traffic warden issuing a ticket to the first in a long line of illegally parked cars.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
A spokesman for Bath and North East Somerset Council insisted there were clear signs highlighting the parking restrictions placed on the corners of Bath Street and on pillars along the stretch of road.
He added that these had been given the approval of the Department of Transport as the most effective way of protecting the historic nature of the street.
But one visitor from London who got caught out in the street has described the situation as a “tourist trap”.
David Kerr, who was recently in Bath, said: “This has left a really bitter taste at the end of our long weekend. All the efforts of the locals running businesses and being kind and pleasant is completely tainted by the greed of your local authority.”
He added: “It’s not the cost of the parking ticket, it’s the principle. People of Bath should oppose this as it’s damaging to the reputation.”
33 Comments
View all
by LoveBathChron
Thursday, March 07 2013, 9:13AM
“Just close the road apart from deliveries and disabled drivers. Its a huge hazard anyway because use the roads and linking areas as a path. Surprised there are more people hit by cars.”
by James__Wood
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 9:49PM
“The two great big 'No waiting, At anytime' signs in Stall Street are a bit hard to miss. You'd think anyone receiving a ticket would question if they are still safe to drive with such poor observational skills or did they just think they'd get away with it because they are special, etc...
http://tinyurl.com/d7dw5q7”
by DerekHole
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 7:32AM
“I think the main problem is motorists see disabled badge holders parking and think its ok to do the same. It is clear that you can't park there, in my opinion most people that do are just trying their luck. If you don't know what a no waiting sign means and don't read signs a) you shouldn't be driving and b) you deserve to be booked.”
by jezer
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 11:34PM
“I'd love to ticket all those law breakers! Loads of money to offset council tax. Lovely jubbly!”
by Imp-Act
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:53PM
“'e' got left behind!”
by Imp-Act
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:51PM
“Maybe I should apply for a job dishing out parking tickets! What FUN that must be! I'd be the biggest bar steward in town! Lol then I'd have REAL red arrows fird at me!”
by Acpafc
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:32PM
“haha - "hmm there is a massive queue at this multi-storey car park, no spaces on any of the roads in the surrounding areas (which are covered in pay and display machines) - oh! there is a space opposite one of the buildings on the tourism brochure". anyone who doesn't investigate further & see the signs deserves a fine!”
by jezer
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:28PM
“I don't know what they are called now. I don't live in Bath, but in a small North Wiltshire market town. I haven't seen a traffic wardens for months, but if they did visit they would be able to collect large amounts of fines to offset our council tax. Motorists just park anywhere they like, double yellow lines, who cares? And don't get me started on mobile phone use and speeding.”
by Saltfordboy
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 8:52PM
“Are they still called Traffic Wardens?I thought they had a fancy name nowadays.
Traffic Enforcement Officers maybe?”
by jezer
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 8:23PM
“The best way to avoid parking fines in Bath is to not bring a car into the city. There is an excellent park and ride system, and the city is very compact and ideally suited for cycling and walking. Blue badge holders are well catered for, and less lazy people using cars will mean more space for them.”