EAST Herts Council has stepped up parking patrols in Buntingford to combat congestion. During the past year concerns have been raised about the absence of the traffic attendants in the town, especially in the High Street where vehicles have been said to i

EAST Herts Council has stepped up parking patrols in Buntingford to combat congestion. During the past year concerns have been raised about the absence of the traffic attendants in the town, especially in the High Street where vehicles have been said to ignoring parking regulations and are parking on the pavements. Cllr Pat Whittaker said: "The problem has got worse. People park where they like." He called for regular patrols in the High Street at all hours the parking regulations are in use. "Last year 226 penalty charged notices were issued to people parking in the High Street, but that's not even one a day," he said. "We don't want shopkeepers losing trade, but people with pushchairs and the less mobile can't use the pavements because cars park on them. "What's going to happen one day when somebody gets knocked down? "The problem has got to be addressed and I think it could be solved if yellow lines were introduced." Cllr Whittaker added that Herts highways had rejected a call for yellow lines because the High Street is a conservation area. An East Herts District Council spokesman, said: "We have just increased regular patrols. "However, the traffic attendant does make regular visits to Buntingford every day and is supported by a mobile parking attendant who goes around on a moped. "The problem is no different to other areas. But, it's a case of looking at the situation and if there is an issue then we will consider changing the coverage where necessary.