On or around 23 March this year, a small white van appeared in Rope Walk – nothing unusual in that I know other than the message written in the dirt across the back doors (see photo above) which prompted me to write an article, as it was at the time during lockdown when toilet rolls seemed rarer than hens’ teeth. The message was well received by our readers who appreciated the humour.
The van did not move an inch for months, and the only attention it attracted was from local residents aware that it hadn’t moved but also hadn’t been given a parking ticket, as presumably at that time, traffic wardens were also as rare a sight as hens’ teeth. It was reported as abandoned, but the response from the authorities was that abandoned it was not. However it has now been moved, see the photo below.
After a few more months, it was reported again as abandoned, and the response again was that it was taxed, had a valid MOT and had not been abandoned. It must have had Teflon coated paintwork though as if it had been given a ticket, it hadn’t stuck.
Soon after the new parking regulations were introduced in Rye, a patrolling parking warden was alerted to the said van and asked to make enquiries, this he did, then promptly issued a warning notice which was stuck on the windscreen. A few days later (as shown in photo above) a truck arrived, collected the van, presumably to be taken to a car pound for the owner to collect at some point.
A victory for the residents of Rye perhaps, but it begs the questions – why did the authorities not act when it was reported abandoned? Why was it allowed to occupy a much needed space for seven months? How long would it have remained here if the new traffic wardens hadn’t done their job?
The new parking measures have been met with mixed reaction and, whilst it is unfortunate, frustrating and predictable that the parking motorists seem now to be honing in on Love Lane and Military Road to avoid paying to park in the car parks, at least – judging by all the comments received by Rye News – the new measures have made a positive difference elsewhere in Rye.
Image Credits: Nick Forman , Simon Crumpler .
Great article but the new measures are not working for the green space in rye.
I noticed the overspill parking was being used on Gilbert marsh and the grass was being destroyed by vehicles not normally parked in the area.
I might sound a bit cynical but possibly the answer to Nick Forman’s breathless questions above is that a contractor is involved and an opportunity for revenue generation was spotted! The replacement of the Robocop outside the Waterworks would support this suspicion. As Nick says, it normally takes months for anything to get done in Rye but this machine was back in place at lightning speed! I know that ESCC say that the Stormtroopers are not incentivised to issue tickets but then I used to believe that the earth was flat!
“why did the authorities not act when it was reported abandoned?” I’d have thought that was obvious – because it had not been abandoned, it was just illegally parked for a long period (certainly not a behaviour that was unique to this one van’s owner), parking was just not being enforced and people acted accordingly.
I’m not sure why so much focus on this one example, when there were/are so many others.
So great to see a functional and effective parking enforcement system getting up and running. Hopefully, this will encourage everyone living or visiting Rye to park with more respect and consideration for all – and particularly with full regard for road safety.
In as much as I really dislike the new ‘Daleks scattered around our historic town, the parking meters are really doing a good job. However I would like to add to Jakes comment “So great to see a functional and effective parking enforcement system getting up and running. Hopefully, this will encourage everyone living or visiting Rye to park with more respect and consideration for all – and particularly with full regard for road safety.”
Now Rother District Council and the ESCC will you do the same for CAMBER and the 600 or so residents that live in the village please.