A DESIGNATED traffic warden will lead a crackdown on parking in bus lanes and at stops.

The Brighton and Hove City Council traffic warden will focus on inconsiderate parking that obstructs buses in a bid to improve the air quality by keeping services moving.

The civil enforcement officer – who works via contractor NSL – is to focus on bus routes when she patrols the streets of Brighton and Hove to ensure they are kept clear. The new focus is designed to reduce the sort of congestion that directly leads to delays to bus passengers.

It should also help to minimise emissions.

Brighton and Hove Buses’ managing director Martin Harris said: “We’re working closely with the council to ensure bus routes and bus stops are routinely kept clear – so there’s a higher risk a car user could face charges for inappropriate parking.

“We think this is an important step in our journey to reduce congestion and the knock-on delays to our passengers and also to improve the quality of the air we all breathe.

“Buses that are unable to pull into stops because of inconsiderate parking also create safety hazards for passengers, drivers and other road users.”

The warden’s job includes ensuring bus stops have the correct instructions for drivers and that they are complying with them.

As part of her job, she will also be meeting the council to help improve road signs and markings to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

She has worked as a traffic warden in the city for the last nine years but has been focused more traditionally on checking car permits.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of the transport committee, said: “I know it’s tempting to park in a bus stop for a few minutes, but a succession of drivers doing this can mean bus stops being obstructed for long periods each day.

“This often forces buses to stop in the road causing traffic jams. This new officer should help to keep all modes of transport moving.”

Taxis and cycles can use most bus corridors, though Blue Badge holders cannot.

This scheme was introduced in 2003 with the aim of cutting congestion.

Some central city bus lanes and corridors do not permit cycling but the council states that in those cases cyclists should be able to use the road or off-road cycle routes.

Bus lanes on the A259 between Telscombe Cliffs Way and Ovingdean Roundabout and the A23 between Carden Avenue and Preston Drove are open to motorcycles.

A trial is being held on the A270 Lewes Road from the Vogue Gyratory to Stony Mere Way.