Councils set to look for parking contractor together

Reading Council made millions of pounds from parking enforcement in 2023/24

A Berkshire council is set to join forces with a neighbouring authority to find a new contractor to enforce parking rules.

Reading Council's breaches of parking rules, such as overstaying tickets and illegal parking, are currently enforced by wardens contracted to the company Trellint.

But wardens have gone on strike three times over the last year and, with Trellint planning to stop parking enforcement, Reading Council has joined forces with Oxfordshire County Council to find a new contractor.

The council made about £2.3m from pay and display tickets and another £2m from car parks in 2023/24.

Phil Grant, Reading Council's parking services manager said at a meeting last month: "Trellint are keen to exit and are looking to terminate the contract [with the council] at the earliest opportunity."

John Ennis, the authority's lead councillor for transport, said: "There were some HR issues which have been settled [with wardens], and therefore this is an opportunity now for us to commission a decent service along with colleagues in Oxford.

"We can work together to get the best deal possible and get a full team of enforcement officers and keep Reading's streets moving."