Greenwich Council has no plans to paint red lines along Plumstead roads because it’s expensive – despite calls from bus drivers that parking is making life hard for passengers.

A petition signed by more than 80 bus drivers was handed into the council in December calling for the authority to take action over illegal parking in Plumstead Road near the bus garage.

Parking has been notoriously bad in the area, with the council struggling to recruit wardens to police the situation.

The petition reads: “What action we would like to see taken by Greenwich Council: Regular parking enforcement by attendants; clearer signage to be installed; CCTV to be installed to monitor and enforce the parking: the bus lane to be painted as is the eastbound side of the road.”

There have been complaints over drivers parking illegally – or poorly – obstructing buses and forcing them to pull up away from the kerb near the bus stop in Plumstead Road, making life difficult for elderly and less-able passengers.

The council has now formulated its response, which will be officially given at a meeting later this month, which says painting red lines is too costly.

“Additional enforcement staff have been recruited, both permanent and agency staff, to allow controls to be enforced more robustly across the borough,” officers have said.

“The impact of these staff can be seen in the level of penalty charge notices being issued and vehicles moved on.

“Although red coloured surfacing has historically been used elsewhere in the borough this is no longer the case.

MORE - Plumstead bus drivers call for more parking wardens in Greenwich

“Red coloured surfacing is generally more expensive than other types of surfacing and its use normally leads to additional joints in the material which can lead to extra maintenance issues and costs.”

The council is preparing to use CCTV and Moving Traffic Contraventions to police the area, which it says should “provide robust enforcement”.

Since increased enforcement in the area in December 60 fines have been handed out and 160 vehicles moved on.

Officers said designs are also being considered as part of the Plumstead public realm Improvements scheme.

The response will be heard at a full council meeting on February 27.