Residents demand own street parking places in University Ward

RESIDENTS are calling for immediate action over parking mayhem in central Middlesbrough

And Mayor Ray Mallon has admitted he has seen residents so worried about losing a space they had placed a settee in the road to stop others from parking, pictured above residents at the public meeting.

At a public meeting in the Waterloo Road Mosque community centre, speakers told of the nightmare they face due to a lack of parking outside their homes.

While most welcome the £100m development of the University of Teesside, they also pointed out that it has brought further traffic chaos with more and more students parking on their streets.

Some people say they are too afraid to drive from their homes as they will not find a space when they return.

"People in this area don't go out with their cars because they know they won't get a space when they come back," said one resident. "I pay £16 a week to go to and from James Cook Hospital because I know I can't move my car."

 Mayor Ray Mallon, pictured at the meeting, said he only recently became aware of the extent of the problem. "Last Tuesday at 8am I sat for half an hour and watched as the problem got worse and worse and worse," he said.

"I was driving around and saw a big settee in the road outside someone's house. The residents had carried it outside before they left in the car so when they came back, they still had a space."

Others spoke of their fears regarding access for emergency services and criticised the perceived lack of enforcement regarding illegal parking.

Rasul Afzal said: "God forbid there ever be a fire on Park Lane because if there is, no way could a fire engine get through. We will be using buckets."

Funding of £70,000 has been raised for a residents' parking scheme in the area, but it is not expected to be implemented until next summer.

 Environment director at Middlesbrough Council, Ian Parker, said the scheme requires consultation and legal processes and would take months, pictured a man has his say at the meeting.

He added: "The best time for putting in residents' parking is the summer as there will be fewer cars parked by students during the summer holidays."

Resident Bishy Hussein said: "You have the funding. If you got on with it now, we could have it in place by Christmas."

Mr Mallon said he would endeavour to ensure the development of the scheme is put in place as quickly as possible.

And, after the meeting, he added: "I intend to have meetings with the university to try to improve the situation substantially."

He said he also intends to hold discussions over the possibility of a multi-storey car park or a park and ride scheme in the area.

Mark White, head of the Vice-Chancellor's office at the University of Teesside, said: "The university has been very conscious of the impact it has on the local community.

"The university has introduced significant discounts, for example, for staff wishing to car share.

"We would wish to continue to work to increase the level of public transport and help alleviate the pressure of car parking."

Source: http://ts1.gazettelive.co.uk/2008/10/residents_demand_own_street_pa.html

First Posted: 24/11/2008

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