Forres, a town in the Scottish Highlands, may be the only place in Britain where residents are calling for more traffic wardens. Only two parking tickets have been issued in the area over the past three years, despite widespread reports of illegal parking.
The town has been without dedicated traffic wardens since 2013, when Moray Council cut those jobs to save money. Responsibility for tackling illegal on-street parking then fell to Police Scotland, whose officers can fine drivers £100 for offences such as pavement parking, double parking, or blocking dropped kerbs.
A Freedom of Information request revealed that just two fines were handed out between January 2023 and January 2026, both on Forres’ High Street in 2025. Police Scotland said earlier figures were not retained. Inspector Neil Morrison cited low staffing and competing priorities, stating: “Keeping people safe across Moray is our priority.”
Moray Council leader Councillor Kathleen Robertson acknowledged local frustration, saying illegal parking creates safety issues and impacts town centre flow. She noted the availability of free parking near the High Street and urged drivers to use it. Councillor Scot Lawrence said the lack of enforcement undermines confidence, while Councillor Draeyk van der Horn raised concerns about safety and suggested a review of signage and road design.
The situation has prompted calls for greater local authority involvement in enforcement to relieve pressure on police and ensure consistency.
