11

Civil Enforcement officers in Westminster have been given a makeover, making them easier to spot and more approachable for motorists.

It is hoped their new fluorescent jackets, which will be seen on the streets of Westminster from next week, will encourage drivers to ask the council’s parking wardens for advice on where to park.

The uniforms for the 250 parking enforcement officers also include a peaked cap and badge which reads: ‘Ask me about parking’.

Cllr Lee Rowley, Westminster’s Cabinet Member for Parking and Transportation, said: “The new uniforms are very eye-catching and designed to ensure that drivers, pedestrians and visitors can easily identify our parking wardens if they need to ask them for help or advice on where to park on Westminster’s busy streets.

“We are committed to improving our parking customer service and making our parking wardens more approachable and we believe their easy to identify uniforms help reflect that.”

Tim Cowen of NSL, the council’s contractor, commented: “We’ve been testing the new uniforms in various parts of Westminster and there is no doubt that they are very easy to spot, and make our staff appear more approachable to the public.”

The company worked with its uniform supplier Keltic Clothing to develop the new design, based on Westminster’s corporate colours of blue and yellow.

The old uniform - navy bomber jackets and baseball caps – will be stripped of their logos and sent for recycling.

Westminster Council is the UK’s biggest parking authority.

ends