Darlington residents have warned that parking permit zones have made local streets a “miserable place to live”.
The concerns were shared after Darlington Borough Council announced a review of Resident Parking Zones (RPZ) to establish if they are fit for purpose.
A recent consultation on the scheme found that 92% of respondents experience parking issues in their street, ranging from long-stay commuter parking to a lack of available spaces and inconsiderate parking.
Hargreave Terrace parking concern
Rachael O’Brien, who lives in Hargreave Terrace with her husband Joe, urged the council to listen to residents’ concerns.
She told a council scrutiny meeting: “It’s an absolutely miserable place to live. There is no parking and there is no help.
“Hargreave Terrace suffers a plethora of problems that are not covered by the current RPZ. The current rules make it easier for everyone but the residents to park. How bad is that?”
Mrs O’Brien told councillors that the street’s proximity to the town’s Royal Mail depot means post workers “rule our street” and often take all the free car parking spaces. Cars have also been damaged due to congestion caused by parked cars.
She added: “The RPZ on the street is clearly not working, so residents wish the council to look at controlled parking zones or opt for temporary experimental traffic orders to gather feedback.
“Residents want this done right and to have a say in it.”
There are currently 16 RPZs within Darlington, which restrict parking to permit holders only from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week.
Respondents to a council survey largely supported the scheme, with 76% of people living within an RPZ indicating that it benefits the area.
Greenbank Road parking concerns
John Ridgeway, of Greenbank Road, said people using the hospital or town centre are taking advantage of the area’s parking to the detriment of residents.
He told councillors: “People who are working in town are very prepared to park in a permit zone at 7:30am because they know there are not going to be enforcement officers around at that time. Similarly, after 5pm, before the cut-off, they assume there is very little chance they will receive a ticket for not having a permit.
“For people who work until 5pm or 6pm, their permits are probably useless for most of the day.”
Mr Ridgeway said residents are also concerned by the increasing number of shared houses in the area and the impact on parking spaces. He added: “Some properties are trying to put 10 people in one property, and they can get permits for all 10. There are not enough parking areas for people with permits.”
Residents’ responses will be considered as part of the council’s policy review of RPZs, which is taking place this year.
Anthony Hewitt, assistant director of highways and capital projects, said: “There is certainly demand from outside the existing RPZs for new zones to come forward. But it’s difficult to say, at this stage, what they would look like. The demand is definitely there.”
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