Drivers hope for victory in battle of kerb parking
U-turn may end frustration of being fined in their own road
Drivers could be on the verge of winning a two-year campaign allowing them to park without fear of being fined.
People living in Worcester Road, Shepway, were outraged in May 2014 when Kent County Council passed a traffic order banning them from leaving their vehicles on the kerbs or grass.
The move saw several people on the receiving end of parking tickets, but now the authority is attempting a U-turn.
Residents in the cul-de-sac have just over two weeks to have their say in a public consultation that would see a new order cancel the first.
It is the latest step in the longrunning campaign, which saw a petition of 103 signatures from the “vast majority” of the road’s 86 households presented in January last year.
They argued the road was so narrow that parking fully in the street, as they were entitled to do, narrowed the carriageway too much, limiting access – espe- cially for larger vehicles such as ambulances or fire engines.
They said that, although it looked unsightly, it was safer to park on the kerb and verges.
In November 2014, a refuse lorry was blocked by parked cars and gave up, leaving rubbish from 17 properties uncollected.
Cllr Malcolm McKay (Lab), who represents Shepway South, has been assisting the residents in their fight.
He said: “While I am delighted that the wishes of the majority of residents are at last being listened to, why has it taken over a year?”
Cllr McKay said that even if the consultation resulted in a majority favour of rescinding the order, the matter would still have to be reported to the next meeting of the Joint Transportation Board, meaning it would be several months before the residents were officially safe to park.
Have your say by email to TRO@amey.co.uk before noon on Monday, April 18.