Parking peril of yellow lines
Grange Close garages
Radical plans to control commuter parking in Linslade has left one group of residents facing a daily dose of parking tickets.
The majority of people living in Grange Close will be delighted that yellow lines are set to be laid in their long-term battle to stop commuters from the town’s train station using their street as a free car park.
But there are some in the road, whose steep and narrow drives, prevent off-road parking, who have no choice but to park in the street - and they have been left with no options and little sympathy from the council.
Graham Gill, who sent the LBO a photo of his unusable drive, is calling for flexibility to the new parking plans which will come into effect later this year.
He said: “I am somewhat unhappy at the proposals for Grange Close. It seems that we are only to have yellow lines. This is in spite of my telling Central Beds Council, on more than one occasion, of the problems that are faced by a number of the residents, who are unfortunate enough to have very steep drives that renders them useless to park on as the underside of the car is scraped every time you try to park.
“Also the dual drives are very narrow making car parking useless.
“I contacted David Bowie, the head of traffic management at Central Beds Council, and asked if we could have the option of parking permits if we need them, in addition to the yellow lines.
“His reply was: ‘66% of the respondents want yellow lines and that is what you will be getting.’ This was despite my outlining the problems we face with off-road parking.
“All we’re asking for is that there is flexibility in these arrangement. Other roads in the area already have yellow lines, along with parking permits, so why can’t it be extended to those who need them? I’m all in favour of resolving the commuter parking issue, but it should be resolved to the benefit not detriment of the residents.
“My message to CBC is: ‘Please be flexible in this issue, put yellow lines down as proposed but please give people the option of parking permits if they require them.’
“As I cycle to work every day my car is parked in the road most days. My neighbours either side are either retired or work locally and are in the same position as myself.”
In a letter Mr Bowie told Mr Gill that the authority intended to implement single yellow lines with no waiting Mon - Fri 8.30am-noon one side of the road and 1pm to 5pm on the other side.
He added: “Unfortunately the permit option was not popular with residents (16%) and, therefore, a permit scheme will not be implemented. We are unable to offer this as an option with the residents preferred choice of yellow lines.
“I realise that this may not meet with your expectations but your fellow residents have given the council a very clear indication of what they want to resolve the parking problems.”
A survey carried out by CBC found that, in Grange Close, Orchard Drive and Woodside Way, 77 households (out of 145) wanted yellow lines; 21 wanted no change; 18 wanted a residents parking permit and five stated no preference.
A spokesman for Central Beds Council said: “There is enormous pressure on parking spaces and where possible the council will endeavour to reflect residents’ wishes through consultation with those directly affected. However, given that householders have different needs and preferences it is not always possible to find a solution that pleases everyone.
“There was a meeting on Monday of the traffic management committee where the results of the survey were discussed. Any decision made will need a Traffic Regulations Order which requires a 21 day consultation before any action is taken.”
*Leighton-Linslade Town Council’s policy and finance committee met briefly last night to consider approval of up to £10,000 expenditure towards the cost of the traffic scheme.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
