The implementation of the Traffic Management Act in Medway appears to have caused more problems than it has solved.  At the time, the Conservative administration promised residents that, wardens would exercise discretion when issuing parking tickets – something I would support.
However the promises have not been kept.  Medway already has a reputation for over-zealous enforcement, but it is the introduction of the CCTV ‘Smart car’ that has infuriated people.
You may have seen the case of a local Reverend, visiting his Church on official business for five minutes, who returned to find a ticket on his car.  Worse still, wardens and the ‘smart car’ watched couples arriving for their wedding day in the pouring rain, hovering outside the Church to try and ‘catch’ the bridal car.
The Council collected over £1.2 million in parking fines last financial year to help plug a hole in their budget, and yet, at the same time, the Tories have ignored many cases where enforcement is desperately needed. 
There are hundreds of empty homes in Medway.  These houses attract vandalism, anti-social behaviour, graffiti and drug use, letting the rest of the area down.  The Council needs to chase the owners of these properties and take action to ensure they are brought back into use.  This lack of action is inexcusable given that there are thousands of families in Medway who are on the Council’s housing waiting list. 
However, it’s not just homes where this lack of enforcement is apparent.  On our main roads, there is the derelict garage on Corporation Street, and the boarded-up remains of numerous pubs.  These buildings have been crumbling for years, and are a major eyesore.  They certainly detract from the positive image that the regeneration of Medway is supposed to create.
It’s time the Council put some of its enthusiasm for ticketing drivers into enforcing laws that would make a difference to the appearance of Medway and to find local people a decent home. Perhaps the Tories’ motives and priorities are more driven by income generation than a desire to help residents.