Anger over Crescent parking problems
DISGRUNTLED residents are complaining of persistent parking problems caused by Hinckley’s new Crescent development.
Some people who live near the multi-million pound retail and leisure complex say they regularly cannot park outside their homes due to cars clogging up the roads.
Karl Chadwick said motorists use Granville Road and other nearby streets as free parking spots.
He said: “Now The Crescent is open, workers of Sainsbury’s and other businesses use this street and park here all day and into the late evening, forcing residents to pay for parking themselves.
“This is before customers and visitors of The Crescent and town centre park here to avoid parking charges.
“On top of that, the volume of traffic that now uses this road is astounding.
“This is one of the closest roads this side of The Crescent to the car park and as much as I made this point when it was being built, it was ignored.
“Leicestershire County Council has been contacted on several occasions over the years but we are being told they wont review any parking matters in this area until 2017 at the earliest.”
Leicestershire County Council confirmed it is reviewing Hinckley’s parking situation next year.
A spokesman said: “We are aware of some complaints from residents relating to parking near The Crescent development in Hinckley, which are currently being looked into.
“Local traffic can often change with any new development, and despite extensive planning and consultation it can be difficult to predict where parking will become an issue.
“There are plans to review the area surrounding The Crescent development next year, with one of the options being explored being a designated resident parking zone.”
It is understood Sainsbury’s staff are encouraged to park in the site’s undercroft car park.
Borough councillor Bron Witherford (Lib Dem, Hinckley Castle) said: “Granville Road has a particular problem in regard to on-street parking.
“This was highlighted again to the county council at the highways forum last Tuesday and I was assured they are looking into what action can be taken to assist the situation in this particular area.
“Of course this is always dependent on funding, but that said I will not let this go until I have a satisfactory answer to pass back to those long suffering residents.”