Wardens get tough with town's drivers

In what is thought to be the first initiative of its kind in the country, Middlesbrough Borough Council is issuing a team of two traffic wardens with a scooter.

After receiving specialist training on its use, they will be unleashed on the town.

Motorists who clog up bus lanes in particular are being warned as the team's main targets will be Acklam, Marton and Linthorpe Roads, which regularly suffer from the problem.

Ian Busby, Middlesbrough council's highway services manager, said: "The project is part of the public service agreement between the Government and the council to reduce congestion, particularly during morning and evening rush hours.

"It is the result of considerable negotiation and has only been made possible with the support of the police."

The idea of equipping traffic wardens with scooters has been under consideration by the council for several months and follows complaints that the bus lanes system is not working.

There are also concerns over the high accident rates on the targeted roads. There have been 197 accidents on Marton Road during the past five years and 62 on Acklam Road in the past three.

Elaine Callaghan, Middlesbrough's senior traffic warden, said the scheme would bring wide-ranging benefits.

She said: "The bus companies say parked vehicles in bus lanes and bays delay their services. The wardens will ticket or move these vehicles on.

"We are discussing where the problem areas are and targeting them first."

The council is also cracking down on utility companies which clog up the roads with lengthy road works.

From January, they will be charged a fee for working on the highway, which it is hoped will act as an incentive to finish quicker and cause minimum disruption.

Both schemes will be monitored using journey time data from bus companies.

Chief Superintendent Dave Lumb, of Middlesbrough police, said: "Any improvements can only benefit residents and commuters in the area."