Parking: Light at the end of tunnel

THERE is now “light at the end of the tunnel” regarding parking problems in Stockton Heath according to Coun Celia Jordan.
She told the parish council she had met borough council officers to discuss the long term parking problems faced by residents.
People from Chapel Lane complained at the last meeting about not being able to park outside their homes. Similar problems have previously been reported by people from many streets in the village centre.
Residents complained that although some of the businesses have car parks, drivers do not use them and still park in the street. Many residents have been trying to get residents’ only parking for some years but have been unsuccessful.
Coun Jordan (pictured) said she had suggested echelon parking as operated in the streets behind part of Knutsford Road, Latchford. She said the streets were one-way and cars parked at right-angles to the kerb on one side of the street.
But officers thought the streets in Stockton Heath may be too narrow for this.
She said the borough council had now agreed criteria for residents’ only parking schemes, and streets would be assessed against this.
“We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.
Coun Jordan said residents would pay an annual fee of £60 for a parking permit if the scheme went ahead. Anyone parking without a permit would face a fixed penalty of £60 to be dealt with by the enforcement officers.
She said the scheme would take up to five years to be fully operational and it is expected that several zones in Stockton Heath would be approved.
“Residents will at least feel that something is being done,” she said.
But members were also concerned that if some roads were made residents only parking, the problem cars would move to other streets.
Coun Jordan said: “There will be all sorts of fallout and all sorts of flak from residents and businesses. People may say they are losing business – it is not all sweetness and light.”
Chairman Peter Walker said: “It may resolve some problems, it may cause others. We will have to consider it.”