The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
I find myself now having to write to the local newspaper in frustration as the local authorities are paying no attention to the current problem of pavement parking on the Taylor Wimpey estate in Spalding.
The Taylor Wimpey estate just off Monks House Lane was completed around two years ago and was handed to the estate management company RMG.
The estate is typical of new developments, stuffed with houses in small spaces, however all the properties have their own driveways.
What’s concerning is that despite the home owners having their own driveways they still choose to park on the pavements.
In the attached picture you will see a typical parking situation on Nile Drive, just off Roeburn Way.
This demonstrates the complete lack of compassion for anyone wanting to use the pavement for what it’s designed for: to walk on.
The car owners choose to take most of the footpath as their personal parking space and have no consideration for pedestrians, especially those in wheelchairs and families with pushchairs.
This picture clearly shows that the pavement has been reduced by three-quarters of its width.
Where are the pedestrians supposed to go? On the road or on the homeowner’s garden to the side?
I have witnessed first-hand pedestrians having to walk on the road in order to get past with their wheelchairs and pushchairs – it’s totally unacceptable that they have to navigate around parked cars on footpaths.
I mean it’s a footpath, I really don’t get the mentality of the drivers.
The highway code states in Rule 244: Highway Code Parking on the Pavement
‘UK Highway Code parking rules prohibit leaving a car parked on a pavement. Abandoning a motor vehicle on a side walk may obstruct and inconvenience all pedestrians.
‘This is especially so for those with visual impairments, people with prams or pushchairs, and wheelchair users.’
I have approached RMG to raise an official complaint, who in turn told me that the road is not under their control and it is still the responsibility of Taylor Wimpey.
So I contacted Taylor Wimpey who said it had been handed over to the local council.
So, I contact South Holland District Council who told me that the road is under the jurisdiction of Lincolnshire County Council.
I contact them and, guess what, they said: “It’s not us, it’s the responsibility of the police”.
I mean seriously, why does no-one want to take ownership of the problem of pavement parking?
All I’m asking for is simple signage to stop people from parking on the pavements.
How long before someone gets seriously hurt by having to avoid the parked cars, by being forced onto the roads?
It cost pennies for signs – are the councils’ budgets that tight that they feel signs would break the bank?
Police cars have been seen on the estate and yet no action is taken, the councils aren’t interested the estate management company have their hands tied and the developer isn’t interested as they now have their money.
It’s time for action, I have expressed my concerns and it’s time for the local authorities do their bit.
Lee Barnett
Spalding
