DOZENS of rule-breakers were caught flouting Colchester’s high street car ban in just three hours sparking calls for tougher punishments.
About 50 drivers were “given advice” after police officers stopped them for using the road as a through route.
It comes as the Gazette revealed eight people a day are being handed parking fines on the high street.
Essex Police was targeting unlicensed vehicle crime across the city centre.
READ MORE >> Controversial High Street car ban to be lifted in one-off for school prom
More than 50 vehicles in Queen Street and near the war memorial at the foot of High Street were stopped by officers within the three-hour period on Wednesday.
It comes as Essex County Council is now set to decide on whether to make the rules surrounding High Street permanent, after a consultation closed on Friday.
At the moment only buses, taxis, blue badge holders and motorbikes are permitted to use the road between 7am and 7pm.
Essex Police said during its crackdown the motorists stopped were given “words of advice” about the rules.
“Four taxi drivers were given warnings for not being in possession of their driving licence and two were issued with warnings regarding damage to their cars which had not been reported,” added a spokesman.
Officers also took a taxi off the road for displaying an out of date taxi plate, while a man was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.
Sergeant Robert Temme said: “Operations such as these are formed following information we receive from the public, reporting concerns they have about their local community.
“This was a successful day of proactive activity and every piece of advice issued goes into the wider goal of making the roads in Colchester safer.”
But Castle ward councillor Mark Goacher said he thinks fines would act as a deterrent to drivers breaking the rules.
“Whatever you think of the High Street ban, people do need to comply with the rules or otherwise face punishment,” said Mr Goacher.
“[To tackle this] there could be even more fines to act as a deterrent as I’m sure many people who are doing what they want are surely aware they are breaking the rules.
“They need to be aware there are rules and they can’t be doing what they want.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel