Wigan Council is set to start enforcing parking restrictions on Sundays in areas where unrestricted parking has led to complaints from the public.
Two Vinci parking attendants will start patrolling on Sundays from 15th April. While they could operate anywhere in the borough in practice it will mostly be in Wigan and Leigh town centres and in the streets surrounding the JJB stadium and Hilton Park on match days.
Council parking manager Charles Wright said:
“We’re getting regular complaints about cars connected with matches which take place on a Sunday at JJB and Hilton Park ignoring parking restrictions or parking on grass verges.
“I have also received complaints that able bodied motorists are parking in disabled bays on Crompton Street because there is no enforcement, and with the Grand Arcade now open there is an increase in people shopping.
“In Leigh the Spinning Gate shopping centre and other shops are open on a Sunday and at a recent Leigh Town Centre Management Meeting I was asked why parking enforcement was not taking place.
“We have also found that vehicles are parking in restricted areas in Cross Street, Hindley on a Sunday when the car boot sale is taking place, potentially causing an obstruction to emergency vehicles.”
Mr Wright stressed this was a limited response to growing numbers of complaints about unrestricted parking on Sundays.
He added:
“It most definitely will not bring in extra revenue for the council, but in some areas there is clearly a problem and when it’s brought to our attention we have to take action.”
Note to editors
Further information: Charles Wright, 01942 488284.
