MAGISTRATES and a solicitor were unanimous in their views – the town had parking problems.

“A trap for unwary motorists,” said the lawyer.

“Motorists could feel a sense of injustice at haphazard prosecutions,” the Bench concurred.

The grievances came to a head – and with considerable publicity – over an incident outside an electrical store, which resulted in a furniture lorry having the utmost difficulty passing between it and pedestrians in the market.

That naturally led to congestion and fuming motorists caught up delays.

Leading the criticism was solicitor J E Bullen who was representing a local motorist for causing an obstruction in the High Street. He was summoned to court because he had parked a utility vehicle outside the shop for 50 minutes.

After the police officer agreed that if there had been no pedestrians, the lorry could have passed with ease.

“I say again that on a Saturday, Andover is a trap for unwary motorists,” He submitting that ‘no parking’ signs should be erected in the High Street on Saturdays (market days) as a warning.

“At least it should be clear whether vehicles can be parked in the street, or not, on those days.”

His remarks were endorsed by the chairman, Alderman W J Armstead who recognised it was time for the magistrates to speak out.

“We have hesitated before but we now feel most strongly that these motorists can feel a sense of injustice at these haphazard prosecutions.

“I am going to say most definitely that I have seen a sergeant and a police officer walk by a car parked in the same position with a man getting out, and no attempt has been made to tell the man he was likely to cause an obstruction.”

Mr Armstead revealed that at a recent magistrates meeting, it had been unanimously agreed that there should be some indication that parking should be banned in the High Street on Saturdays.

“Otherwise these cases ought to be brought every week. From my own observation, I am quite sure similar obstructions are caused every week.

“I want to make the strongest representations that the police should consider putting up notices between the two bus stops on a Saturday morning. We feel it is desirable and in fact ridiculous not to do so.”