Volunteers could soon be dealing with road safety and traffic warden responsibilities in East Cambridgeshire, if a policing panel welcomes the proposals.  

East Cambridgeshire District Council has been developing the new road safety officer volunteer role with the county’s police force to address issues such as speeding and parking enforcement. 

While the council says on-street parking is not its responsibility, its spokesperson explained: “The volunteer Road Safety Officer role would be focused on improving safety, especially regarding speed, and would include parking enforcement within its remit.  

“The proposals for the introduction of the Road Safety Volunteer roles are being presented to the Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s November Change Board and more information will be available following that meeting.” 

Meanwhile, photographs sent to this publication show the extent of illegal parking recently in Soham town centre. 

Ely Standard: Concerns are being raised about illegal parking in Soham.Concerns are being raised about illegal parking in Soham. (Image: Submitted)Vehicles parked on double yellow lines, at bends and near junctions are among the problems residents are experiencing.  

There are also worries emergency vehicles would not be able to get through some roads.  

Concerns were exacerbated earlier in the month when the A142 was closed following a fatal collision and drivers were diverted through the town.  

One resident, who asked not to be named, said vehicles were illegally parked along the diversion route and traffic was “chaos for hours”.  

Ely Standard: Traffic through Soham when diversions were in place on November 6.Traffic through Soham when diversions were in place on November 6. (Image: Submitted)Soham Town Council says it is attempting to address the issue.  

The council’s chairman Cllr David Woricker said: “We have been working closely with Cambridgeshire County Council and Highways to make changes to our street scape which will make it harder to park on pavements in the High Street.    

“New bollards and flower beds should help reduce the problem in some areas.    

“We have also worked with residents to effect double-yellow lines around Cyprian Rust Way which has helped reduce nuisance parking around this junction.” 

Ely Standard: A driver in Soham is forced to drive on the opposite side of the road on the corner of Brook Dam Lane and Paddock Street. A driver in Soham is forced to drive on the opposite side of the road on the corner of Brook Dam Lane and Paddock Street. (Image: Submitted)Cambridgeshire Police explained neighbourhood officers are aware of the issues in Soham and can issue tickets for illegally parked vehicles.