Bicester South councillor apologises for parking illegally

Councillor Sam Holland, a member of the North Oxfordshire Conservatives party who represents the Bicester East ward, took to Facebook to report a councillor parking illegally.

He spotted Councillor Chris Pruden, a Liberal Democrat councillor who represents the Bicester South and Ambrosden ward, “blatantly ignore the Highway Code” by parking his white car directly on the junction on Whiteland Way with Haydock Road in Bicester.

The Highway Code Rule 243 explicitly states that drivers must not parking within 10 metres of a junction, including T-junctions, crossroads and roundabouts, unless there are designated parking bays or signs permitting it.

This rule also prohibits parking opposite a junction, as it can obstruct turning traffic and create dangerous blind spots.

Mr Holland called on Mr Pruden to self-refer to the Monitoring Officer at Cherwell District Council under the Councillor Code of Conduct.

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He said: “As councillors, we lecture residents daily about obeying parking rules and keeping our streets safe. Yet, here we have a Liberal Democrat councillor doing the exact opposite while out campaigning for his party.

“Show us the accountability and integrity you and your colleagues expect from everyone else.

“Rules and basic road safety aren’t optional for elected officials, especially when you’re using the public highway to erect party political propaganda.”

Mr Pruden said: “Road safety is really important in Bicester. I regret this mistake, and have made the council’s monitoring officer aware.”

Cherwell District Council declined to comment.