8:20am Sunday 8th August 2010
By David Wiles
MOTORISTS who park dangerously in Upper Stratton will soon receive £30 fines in a police crackdown launched after complaints from residents.
Officers this week delivered about 100 warning leaflets to homes in areas where vehicles are regularly left on pavements, too close to junctions, or in other inappropriate locations.
Over the next two weeks police will carry out spot checks and stick fixed penalty notices on the windscreens of vehicles still causing a nuisance.
PC Frank Key, the community beat manager for Upper Stratton, said: “The message to people is to make sure they are aware of the problem.
“And to make sure they park in an appropriate manner so everyone is able to use the roads and pavements without obstruction or danger.
“People are now fully aware that the problem has been highlighted, they have had ample time to change their Parking behaviours and if they don’t they will be subject to on-the-spot fines.
“We want to let the community know that people’s concerns are being taken seriously and hopefully, if people know we are taking action, they will self-educate and deal with the problem themselves.”
Several residents raised the issue with Upper Stratton Neighbourhood Police Team when the force’s mobile exhibition van was outside the shops in Beechcroft Road on Saturday, July 24.
This week, PC Key and PCSO Mandi Coles delivered the leaflets at parking blackspots in St Philips Road, Farrfield, Winton Road, Hatch Road and Carman Close.
One of the main problems is cars parking on the pavements, thereby forcing pedestrians and people with pushchairs or in mobility scooters onto the roads.
Police will also be targeting motorists who park too close to junctions, block access for emergency vehicles or obstruct driveways.
Paul Russell, the clerk of Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, said at a public consultation last Saturday and a planning committee meeting this week residents also complained about dangerous parking.
He said: “People park half on the road and half on the pavement, they park fairly close to junctions and they park in front of people’s drives, especially at school opening and closing times.
“It just shows the level of insensitivity from certain drivers.”
“Parking on the pavement does create problems for people who are disabled and on mobility scooters who might have to go on to the road, so it is absolutely appropriate the police take action.”
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