Residents fed up over parking

RESIDENTS in the Chapel Lane area of Stockton Heath are fed up with not being able to park outside their homes.
They have asked the parish council to support their request for a “resident’s only” parking scheme.
One woman told the council that parking in the area was “getting ridiculous” and that new businesses were adding to the problem as customers and staff parked in the street.
She said people parked across driveways in nearby streets. Drivers were like “praying mantis” waiting for cars to leave and jumping into the spots.
“It’s awful when you come home from work exhausted and then have to park down the street or walk from a neighbouring street,” she added.
Residents complained that although some of the businesses have car parks, drivers do not use them and still park in the street. They claimed they had been trying to get residents’ only parking for some years but had been unsuccessful.
George Baker, of Chapel Lane, said he was fed up with the parking problem and that drivers did not consider residents.
“It is getting so bad that if you left the front door open, they would park on the stairs.”
Coun Graham Roughsedge said parking was a problem in many streets in the village including East Avenue, Victoria Road and Warburton Street. The borough council was considering extending residents only parking to areas of Stockton Heath.
Coun Wendy Emsely suggested contacting the businesses to see if they would ask staff and customers not to park in the street. But members agreed this may only be a short-term solution.
Members agreed to find out what progress the borough council had made regarding residents only parking.