THE PLOT CHANGES

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31407, 28 June 1967, Page 1

THE PLOT CHANGES

The City Council traffic authorities have been changing their thinking about parking round the garden-plot triangle In Cathedral square near the Regent Theatre. Several weeks ago, the no-parking signs round the triangle disappeared. Till then many drivers used to stop their vehicles there for a few minutes while going to the Post Office.

Among the regular users of this stopping place were City Council traffic officers, Transport Department traffic officers, and police. Many of their vehicles stayed up to 20 minutes in the “stopping” area. During the period o.'

“free” parking, when the triangle was without signs, some private motorists parked their cars there for up to half a day. Police vehicles spent long periods there in the evenings during picture theatre opening and closing hours, and on Friday and Saturday evenings. Last week, the council put dotted yellow lines right round the plot to signify no parking and no stopping. Traffic officers were seen on several occasions writing offence notices and handing them to puzzled, upset, and, on one occasion, angry drivers.

On Monday, the yellow dotted lines had disappeared. Small signs or.

posts announce that fiveminute parking is permitted round the plot. Already City Council traffic and police patrol vehicles have crept back into safe harbourage and, already, are staying longer than the notices say is permissible. The collectors and posters of mail from city offices are swarming back, very happy to find the extra space, because the parking spaces outside the Chief Post Office are always full at peak periods. Again, City Council traffic officers are directing drivers with business at the post office in peak periods to the short but safe sanctuary afforded round the plot