CASH delivery drivers are to be exempt from parking tickets after a decision by the council last week.

As it stands, even though they are carrying highly valuable loads, bullion drivers are not allowed to park on double-yellow lines.

If they are caught many of the drivers are responsible for paying the fine, even though most are on low paid jobs.

The motion was put forward by Swindon Borough Council’s Labour group and was voted through unanimously by all councillors.

The move has been welcomed by the GMB Union, which says cash in transit vans will be safer as a result of this move.

Regional organiser Carole Vallelly said: “GMB welcome the decision.

“The removal of parking restrictions on CIT vans in town centres has been a long standing GMB demand.

“The motion allows security staff making cash deliveries to park on double yellow lines, in order to both shorten the length of time and distance that they have to carry cash, and also to make their movements less predictable, making robbery less likely.

“Up until now, GMB members in the cash in transit sector have had a choice of lawfully parking some distance from the bank where they are making the delivery to, and therefore exposing themselves to the risk of violent attack while they walk to the delivery point, or parking on a yellow line nearer to the bank and risking a parking fine.

“These workers are typically low paid, and have been required to personally pay the parking fines themselves.

“GMB is delighted that they can now park safely and near to the delivery point, without fear of being penalised by a fine they can ill afford to pay.”

The motion was put forward by Labour Group Leader Jim Grant (Lab, Rodbourne Cheney).

He said: “I proposed this motion after being contacted by a representative of cash-in-transit drivers.

“They explained to me the current injustice where low-paid cash-in-transit drivers are held liable for fines for parking on double yellow lines when they need to park as close as possible to the banks and other finance institutions they’re serving for safety reasons.

“Cash-in-transit drivers are keen to park as close to the finance institutions they’re collecting money from as they operate in a very dangerous job.

“I am grateful to councillors from the other parties for supporting my motion and I look forward to working them to get a practical solution.”

It was given full support from the Conservative group, with council leaders saying they will look to implement the change as soon as possible.

Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Haydon Wick), the cabinet member for economy, said: “This will help increase the security for the workers, and the public, as the vans will be able to park closer to where they need to go without fear of being fined.

“Secondly, it is about doing the common sense thing for workers who are either on minimum wage or self employed. If they get fined it can mean a day’s wages, so we are happy to help there.”