Local Residents get Action on Parking Problem

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Aug 2006

Lib Dem Cllr. Derek Eastman has spoken at Council to insist that action be taken to sort out the parking problems encountered on Monkston, Middleton, Monkston Park and Broughton Leys in Middleton ward.

Cars parked on Blanchland Circle grass verge

Local ward Cllr. Derek Eastman asked the Council to look at the current position on the Government's parking maximum standards for new developments, which have led to a lack of parking spaces in Middleton ward. Derek Eastman said; "The lack of parking spaces, coupled with narrow roads, is leading to parking congestion and many residents having to park on verges and pavements. It is also a cost on the council tax payer to repair damage to verges and a safety risk with parking on pavements."

The Environment Policy Development Committee, which met last Thursday, listened to the problems experienced by residents in Middleton ward and agreed to:

• re-establish the Parking Standards Review Group to look at the matter in more depth (with the Group reporting back on 8 November) and

• ask the Cabinet to see what action can be taken to mitigate the current problems experienced with parking on verges and pavements, including better enforcement of current regulations.

After the meeting Derek Eastman said; "This is a step forward for residents in that it is now recognised that the Government's parking standards just do not work! The cross-Party committee agreed that action was necessary, indeed some of the Cllrs. also said they had problems in their wards. Residents have regularly raised the subject of verge and pavement parking and I now hope we can go forward and sort out the parking problems. This is a victory for residents and I thank them for bringing the issue to my attention."