Residents fed up with Horfield parking problems

HOUSEHOLDERS are fed up of waiting for parking restrictions to be imposed on their clogged residential roads – and say the situation is getting worse while they wait.

Residents living in Grittleton Road, Alderton Road and Priory Gardens, in Horfield, were told two years ago that a scheme to impose parking restrictions in the streets had been given the go-ahead.

But they are still waiting – and in the meantime they say the roads have become more dangerous as workers from nearby Southmead Hospital and Horfield Jobcentre use them for parking.

One resident told the Post she has to call police on a regular basis because refuse lorries and other vans cannot get down the roads due to parked cars blocking them. Pavements are also reportedly blocked – making life difficult for parents with buggies and wheelchair users.

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Michela Foote, who lives in Grittleton Road where all householders have their own driveways, said: "The parking situation is diabolical.

"People who work nearby at the hospital and the Jobcentre are using our road as a car park. We were told parking restrictions were going to be implemented years ago but nothing seems to be happening.

"I've had to call the police so many times when vans and lorries get stuck, and I've had enough of it.

"The parking also causes a big problem on the pavements – I've got a double buggy and can't get it on the pavement.

"I have to walk on the road and don't think that's right. The parking situation is making my life hell – the council needs to hurry up and implement the scheme."

Residents were first told about a scheme to introduce parking restrictions on Grittleton Road, Alderton Road and Priory Gardens in 2009.

A consultation was carried out in May 2010, when plans of the proposal were delivered to every household.

The council received 88 responses – with 47 residents in favour of the scheme and 41 opposed to it.

In August 2010 the council informed householders it would be progressing with the scheme and said the next stage would be the preparation of legal paperwork leading to the proposals being publicised.

A letter stated that after another consultation and various reports were written, the implementation of the scheme was likely to be March 2011. But residents are still waiting and have been told the wait is due to the council needing to "resolve" eight objections to the scheme.

"I've been told it has been delayed due to these objections," said Ms Foote. "But there are always bound to be some objections to a scheme and I don't think that should be delaying something this important."

Council spokeswoman Kate Hartas said there were objections to be resolved but that the scheme was due to get under way in June.

She said: "We understand how the residents feel. The scheme is much needed, and we are confident it will do a good job for the community.

"The dull fact is that traffic schemes have a strict legal process attached to them, and though it's frustrating, it's very important, or the scheme could be challenged by anyone.

"The council must follow this process carefully before it can seal the traffic orders. Once this work is done, it's all systems go for a June start on the roads."