Drivers have been blasted for parking in a lane meant for cyclists along one of the busiest streets in Reading.
New cycle lanes were established during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 to encourage active travel.
Whitley Street, which is home to dozens of businesses was one of the streets selected with cycle lanes being added in both directions late that year.
The cycle lanes were made permanent in 2022.
However, drivers can commonly be seen being parked there, particularly the lane running southbound between Silver Street and Christchurch Road.
Reading Borough Council has the authority to issue penalty charge notice (PCN) fines which cost £70 in full or £35 if paid within a few weeks of receipt.
Although punishments for drivers are higher than they have been, enforcement remains below 100 fines last year.
The number of fines issued are revealed in the the council’s annual parking services report 2023/24.
It shows that 87 fines were issued last year, compared to 29 in 2022/23, an increase of 58.
These figures were reported to councillors at a recent meeting.
Rob White, the leader of the opposition on the council, questioned why there had been an increase in the fines being issued.
Cllr White (Green, Park) said: “A few years ago the number of tickets being issued to people parking in a cycle lane was very low, it was close to zero.
“I’ve noticed that’s gone up considerably, which is really positive to see.
“I don’t know if any of you have had the pleasure of going up Whitley Street, but there is probably, on average, five cars parked in that cycle lane, it is ridiculous.
“I’d be interested in having a bit more detail of having hardly any tickets to close to 100.”
He suggested that the council’s CCTV enforcement cars could be used to fine drivers for parking in cycle lanes, following email communications between himself, cllr Andrew Hornsby-Smith (Labour, Church) and cllr Doug Cresswell (Green, Katesgrove).
Elizabeth Robertson, the council’s assistant parking services manager was unable to say why the amount of fines issued for parking in cycle lanes had increased.
The point was raised at a meeting of the council’s traffic management sub-committee on March 6.
A total of 174 PCNs were issued for parking breaches in Whitley Street in 2023/24, which includes people who have been parked up for longer than permitted.
Drivers can park next to shops in the street for 30 minutes between 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday, with no returns within an hour.
Those caught breaching these conditions are liable to be fined.
Categories: Transport Highways
