Bad parking at elderly complex puts lives at risk

Elderly residents’ lives are being put in danger by inconsiderate drivers parking over the driveway to their homes.

Resident of Spalding’s Georgian Court John Bishop said his elderly neighbours are at risk because emergency vehicles are unable to reach them and because they have to pull out “blind” into oncoming traffic when parked cars block their exit.
He is calling on the council to introduce double yellow lines in Chancery Court to prevent the problem.
Mr Bishop said: “Although parking is allowed in Chancery Court drivers are now beginning to park in the entrance of Georgian Court.
“This is the only access for 72 apartments and 23 driver residents who use this one and only gate.
“When the gate is blocked drivers exiting Georgian Court have to pull well into Chancery Court to see if the road is clear to Haverfield Road.
“Many a time a resident or visitor has had near misses with vehicles coming up Chancery Court sometimes at speed.
“Some of the residents who drive are quite elderly and their actions in braking might be a bit slow – this could be a cause of an accident as there is nowhere else to go but reverse back through the gate.”
Mr Bishop believes the problem of parked cars blocking access to fire engines and ambulances is even more of a concern.
He said: “As all residents are elderly it is frequently required that emergency vehicles attend Georgian Court – either an ambulance for a resident who is ill or requires transport to hospital or the fire brigade who are called only in emergency.
“Both these types of vehicle need a clear access and departure through this gate.
“In the case of ambulances it means they are prevented from helping ill people until they gain access.
“Fire fighters on the other hand, if a fire is taking place they would move the offending vehicle to gain access.
“Either way both types of vehicle are prevented from carrying out their emergency duty fully.”
Cars which are persistently parked inconsiderately at the entrance to Georgian Court are now being logged and notes left on windscreens asking drivers to be more considerate in the future.
Mr Bishop added: “We watched one the other day where the driver sat there and had their lunch and then threw the wrappers under the car and drove off.
“We desperately need to do something because I know that some inconsiderate driver may be the cause of either a death or injury or be the cause of an accident to the residents of Georgian Court.”