OVERZEALOUS traffic wardens who lie in wait for unsuspecting motorists and delivery drivers have been slammed by traders.
Businesses in and around Lesbourne Road in Reigate say they have grown tired of the "unfair" and "vicious" ticketing that is not only affecting them, but their customers as well.
Some claim to have seen wardens pulling up near the road – which has parking restrictions between 8am and 6pm – to wait for drivers before issuing tickets within minutes of the start time.
Marzia Musmeci, who runs La Bottega coffee shop in Lesbourne Rroad, said: "We've had customers who've come for five minutes and they get a ticket. I've seen some wardens parking up the road, and I've seen a few parking on the lines, waiting for people to come so they can get them. It's disgusting."
Jay Singh, who has owned The Little Shop newsagents for 18 months, said: "Saturday is a really good day for them [traffic wardens]. They'll park up the road so they can keep an eye out and see people. Then as soon as they come they ticket them. We've also had problems with our deliveries because we get bulk deliveries so where are they supposed to park?"
Yvonne Pappa, who runs the Oven Fresh Bakery at the bottom of Lesbourne Road, said she'd experienced problems with traffic wardens who regularly try and ticket the shop's van while it's making deliveries. Their ticketing could be "a bit vicious" she added. "They know it's our van because it's marked, but they won't just come in and say, 'Can you move the van?' They'll just ticket it. Some of them are OK but they won't give you any leeway at all," the bakery manager added. "One of our bakers comes in at 2am sometimes and when he's gone out at 8.02am he's already got a ticket."
The condemnation comes as Eric Pickles announced he is considering banning traffic wardens from ticketing motorists who parked on double yellow lines for a short period of time.
The Communities Secretary could bring in a "grace period" of up to 15 minutes during which traffic wardens would not be able to issues tickets. But drivers deemed to be parking dangerously could be hit with fines of up to £130.
Nic Martlew, head of neighbourhood services at Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, said: "We enforce yellow lines and parking offences for the purpose of safety and to reduce congestion caused by inconsiderate motorists. Drivers who park legally will not be issued a Penalty Charge Notice."
Do you think the wardens' actions are a bit over the top? Call the newdesk on 01737 783873 or e-mail editor@surreymirror.co.uk
