Liverpool: Call for 'traffic warden army' in city

There are currently 49 traffic wardens employed by the council

A council has been criticised for not increasing the number of traffic wardens it employs.

Liverpool Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Clein has been calling for an "army of traffic wardens" to tackle dangerous and illegal parking for two years.

He said he was "dismayed" the numbers had barely changed despite pledges to boost them.

Liverpool City Council agreed the current 38 wardens was not enough.

In 2017 the authority promised it would swell the number of traffic wardens in the city from 43 to 60.

Councillor Richard Clein says he is 'dismayed' traffic warden numbers had barely changed

However, the latest figures show there are currently 38 full-time traffic wardens in Liverpool along with 11 agency staff.

"When I first made my call for an army of traffic wardens in 2021 I was told there were 47 parking attendants for the whole of the city," Mr Clein said.

"Now there are actually fewer than there were then".

A council spokesman said the authority intends to double the number of enforcement staff, and it had put together a case for hiring a further 92 from April onwards.

The council said feedback from residents on poor parking had made the issue a priority, and the number of fixed penalty notices issued in the city had increased, with a 43% increase over the last year.

In December there was a 108% rise in parking fines compared to the previous December.

The authority said the number of fixed penalty notices issued had increased

Earlier this month, the council's cabinet member for the environment Dan Barrington said the authority was asking government for more powers to tackle illegal parking.

A report said discussions were being held around a secure area where the vehicles of persistent offenders could be seized and impounded.

It is understood the council is having conversations with several companies who could supply staff and vehicles for these duties, although talks are at a very early stage.

Mr Clein said this was already happening in Manchester, where persistent offenders had their vehicles clamped and towed by the council.

"Why is it good enough for Manchester, but not good enough for Liverpool?" he said.

"We've got to hit these drivers where it hurts - in the pocket."