No tickets for school buses

No tickets for school buses

17 April 2013

TRAFFIC wardens in Downpatrick have been told not to issue tickets to buses parked outside Down High School.

The new Roads Service directive not to ticket buses parked on double yellow lines outside the grammar school applies to afternoons only.

The move comes after two buses waiting at the entrance to the Mount Crescent campus in early February were issued with parking tickets, prompting several local politicians to

label the traffic wardens “over zealous.”

Up to five buses park on the main road outside the school in the afternoon and wait for around 15 minutes before heading off fully loaded to various locations across the district.

Translink has previously acknowledged there were difficulties with the Mount Crescent area, but said there was nowhere else for buses to park.

The about-turn not to ticket buses has been welcomed by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie.

She recently discussed the matter along with a number of other issues relating to the behaviour of traffic wardens in Downpatrick with senior officials from the Department of Regional Development. The MP said the Roads Service acknowledges the pressure on traffic at the Mount Crescent area.

“I have had a series of meetings with the Roads Service regarding the worsening situation where parking enforcement in Downpatrick town centre was unfairly penalising local businesses and our public services,” explained Miss Ritchie.

“Following these meetings a number of issues were resolved and I am pleased that the situation has improved to some degree.

“I have now received confirmation from the Roads Service that traffic attendants have been instructed to avoid enforcement at Mount Crescent during school pick-up times and this extends to Translink buses,” she continued.

“I would hope that this degree of community awareness will continue and would thank Roads Service and traffic attendants for their co-operation on this matter.”

The MP added: “It’s important to keep communications open as we endeavour to provide the best possible service for all of the users of Downpatrick town centre.”