‘It’s all by the book’ (From Tewkesbury Admag)

‘It’s all by the book’

11:28am Thursday 30th November 2006 in News

Tewkesbury'S only traffic warden Nigel Greene has been suspended for doing a part-time job in his own time.

He has been the town's traffic warden for almost eight years and driving a taxi at weekends for T C Cabs for over a year.

He was recently told by police that he had to stop as there was a potential conflict of interest.

"They said that I might not book the taxis for parking illegally," he said. He told the authorities that what he did in his own time was his own business and refused to give up his driving.

As a result he was suspended and now faces a disciplinary hearing for gross misconduct.

"I am not doing anything illegal or dishonest. It is all legal and above board, there was never any conflict of interest and I was never late for work or had time off because of it.

"I was also trying to sort out alternative employment for when the borough council takes over responsibility for parking next year."

Inspt Brian Murnaghan, of Tewkesbury police, said: "The traffic warden has been suspended on an internal disciplinary matter. It is causing us a lot of problems."

He said Police Community Support Officers have the right to enforce traffic regulations but it is not their focus or main job.

County councillor Graham Dawson said: "Parking in Tewkesbury is not being controlled at all, and people are just doing what they like. I saw five cars parked on zig zag lines by a crossing the other day."