ENNISKILLEN’S traffic wardens are issuing signficantly more parking tickets to unsuspecting motorists compared to other similarly-sized towns in the North. 

Their actions have been branded “brutal” and “ruthless” by a member of the Enniskillen Business Partnership after latest figures revealed the high number of on-street penalties issued by the town’s traffic wardens last year. 

A total of 2,194 parking tickets were issued in Enniskillen during 2015, according to the Department for Regional Development (DRD) figures.

That’s almost double the amount slapped on motorists in Omagh where 1,180 penalties were issued.  

The huge difference in the attitudes of traffic wardens in Enniskillen with those in other larger towns across the North is nothing new. Traders and visitors regularly grumble about the over eagerness amongst some to penalise those parking within the town.

Members of the Enniskillen Business Partnership have held several meetings in the past with National Car Parks (NCP) to discuss concerns.

While there are some fair traffic wardens in town, one local businessman has queried the customer service policy of some of the ‘red coats’. 

“Their attitude towards people, particularly the elderly is appalling at times and I have seen for myself many cases of blatant discrimination. They are just brutal in their manner towards shoppers and offer no help whatsoever. One example was a man who was booked in a town carpark at 9.05 on Saturday morning just because he hadn’t got a chance to get back to his car on time.  

“I’ve heard many people say that they won’t be coming back to Enniskillen again because of the way they have been spoken to by some of those who always seem to be waiting to pounce.” 

He added: “Traffic wardens need to use a common sense approach to dealing with this situation, particularly given the challenging business circumstances we find ourselves in. The planned disruption from the Johnstons Bridge works in July will make parking matters much worse and the traffic wardens will only compound the issue.”

A parking ticket or Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) carries a £90 fine, reduced to £45 if paid within 14 days.

Parking attendants issue penalties when someone illegally parks on parking restrictions, while police tend to ticket for obstruction or when cars are parked dangerously, regardless of whether parking restrictions exist.

A TransportNI spokesperson has denied any claim of bias towards Enniskillen: “Parking enforcement in Enniskillen and across Northern Ireland exists to encourage drivers to park safely. The benefits of having fewer illegally parked vehicles include less congestion, more available parking spaces in town centres and improved safety.

 “The number of offences vary in relation to the number of offences observed. They are not directly related to population size and the department would welcome a fall in the level of illegal parking.

 “The level of parking enforcement in Enniskillen is proportionate to its size and the parking restrictions in place, and is broadly in line with that in towns of similar sizes.

 “Anyone who feels that a PCN has been incorrectly issued has the right of appeal to the Department where it will be given full consideration.”