FOLLOWING dozens of requests, and your article regarding unauthorised parking being a constant blight on Blackwood High Street, I have written to Caerphilly Council officers as below: 

1. I believe I have the support of the police regarding railings in certain areas to stop unauthorised parking.     

2. Does the policy actually state where there is congestion in the town, and the lack of resources? The removal of street furniture takes priority allowing cars, vans and lorries to parking on pavements. I worry about pedestrian safety and disabled people, and where does our policy fit with this please?

3. Surely we have a partnership agreement with the police, and the authority is aware of my recently tabled question about the High Street and claims into the council. Surely street temporary barriers would help? 

4. Reference to target enforcement - perhaps police would confirm how many tickets they have issued within the last 3 months.   

5. The conclusion is that we as a council will not consider temporary barriers for 12 months in locations on the High Street and chaos is allowed to reign. 

6. The response to my request to the police for a traffic warden on a temporary basis was no. So outside Barclays Bank, Woodbine Hill and parking on yellow lines and zig zags will continue for the foreseeable future in the High Street. We remain very disappointed if this is the case. 

Cllr Kevin Etheridge and Cllr Andrew Farina-Child 
County Councillors
Blackwood