October 2007 – Watch where you park!
Inconsiderate motorists are being warned to watch where they park along a Hyndburn bus route.
The “Spot on” bus routes 6 and 7 currently suffer from drivers parking at bus stops and on double yellow lines intended to help buses get round the route.
From 10th September bus operators Transdev will be teaming up with Parkwise for a week-long trial which will see extra parking attendants deployed along the route.
Although the attendants will be concentrating on ‘hotspots’ they are keen to let motorists know in advance so they can avoid making parking mistakes.
County Councillor Tony Martin, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Bad parking causes problems for buses as it makes getting round the route difficult and stops them getting to bus stops. If people are aware that the parking attendants are about and think twice about where they park then that’s as effective as issuing PCNs.
“This trial will be about raising awareness of parking regulations and discouraging bad parking. Improving the road system for public transport is one of the key aims of ParkWise and I am pleased that we are teaming up with one of the area’s main bus operators in this way.”
Russell Revill, managing director of Transdev Lancashire United, said: “The main task of the parking attendants will be to keep the flow of traffic moving and move on drivers who have parked at bus stops or on restricted areas on the route.
“People who park on bus stops make it very difficult for our passengers to get on and off – particularly those with disabilities. If the driver cannot get to the kerb due to a parked car it may not be possible to lower the wheelchair ramp.
“The support of Parkwise and Lancashire and Hyndburn councils is very welcome.”
The initiative is the first in Lancashire and will focus on the Transdev “Spot on” routes 6 and 7 routes from Blackburn to Rishton, Great Harwood, Accrington, Church, Oswaldtwistle and Intack.
