Minutes:
PC Morgan introduced himself and PCSO Hayter to residents. As far as Wigston has gone from the Police’s position some nearby areas suffered from a spate of burglaries but Wigston has not seen an increase.
The Police have today received a green light to take planned actions around eScooters / eBikes in the Borough. Parking on Meadow Way was raised by residents within Item 4, the lack of restrictive road markings were raised where the zig-zags outside of the school are the only markings. Parking is a deferred power which sat with the Police for some time but now sits with LCC, and has done for some years. Police will get involved in parking issues if the parking is dangerous, i.e. putting pedestrians and other vehicles at risk, or parked in a way which forces people into oncoming traffic. The Police and Council can remove vehicles that are blocking the egress of a driveway, but no power exists to remove vehicles blocking access to driveways. If a vehicle is out of road tax for 2 months and 1 day and on the highway the Police can remove the vehicle under DVLA powers. The Police noted that some recent parking issues have related to vehicles that have broken down in the cold weather, and that a balanced approach needs to be taken to this. As a beat team the control team will defer to LCC normally, but PC Morgan noted he is happy to visit areas where problem parking is reported but can’t promise action will be taken if powers do not exist.
A resident raised concerns with the volume and speed of vehicles using the shortcut of Guthlaxton Way between Welford Road and Newton Lane – farm vehicles are a usual culprit for this and its not always possible to see number plates on them. The Police will do enforcement with speed guns in areas where multiple or regular complaints are received – they have previously attended Launceston Road. The Police need to be aware of the issues, with reports being made, in order to take action. Residents note that the new estate in this area may be contributing to the changes to the flow and speed of traffic. The resident who raised Guthlaxton Way as a concern noted that they received a letter from the Council in response, which they do not believe they should have received, which highlighted the Council is “afraid to take action” due to the nature of the agricultural businesses. Cllr. Loydall noted the importance of residents making reports in order to gather the required evidence to take action. Cllr. Bentley asked if the letter referred to by the resident could be shared with him, and provided an overview of the Planning Conditions which restricts the use of some of the roads to certain types of traffic around the new build estates. The new road connecting through to Newton Lane is near completion which will move some traffic away from Guthlaxton Way.
Cllr. Martin raised the number of vehicles driving around at night with no headlights, one headlight, or fog lights on, including delivery drivers, and asked if the Police are still pulling over vehicles with these issues. PC Morgan noted that officers do pull over vehicles doing this where possible. It was also noted that the number of drink drivers in the Wigston area has increased and that the Police are taking action to address this in the coming weeks. PC Morgan noted that he is happy to be a point of contact for registration numbers of vehicles which concern residents to be sent through to for them to be looked into.