Council accused of not ‘sticking to their word’ in row over bus station
Residents fined for loading rubble outside their home
A FAMILY who are trying to modernise their home have been fined for removing rubble from it.
Now, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has been accused of ‘saying one thing, yet doing another.’
Families living in Cromwell Terrace in Leek, which overlooks the bus station, have no vehicle access at the front or rear of their homes.
Many young families have bought homes in the street and are looking to modernise them, but the only way to remove rubble and deliver new goods is to load and unload from a vehicle parked under the wall in the road used for Leek Bus Station, which is three lanes wide.
The District Council said that loading was permitted in the street as long residents were ‘seen at the vehicles at least once every 10 minutes.’
But one occupant has now been fined by the council for removing her rubble, despite being present when the enforcement officer issued the ticket.
Rachel Bourne said: “Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is saying one thing and doing another. All we want to do is load and unload as we have no access to our properties.
“Several of the homes have been bought by young families who are now trying to bring the houses up to a modern standard.
“A parking warden saw us loading rubble, but still issued us with a fine. He told us that they had been told to ticket us, which is ridiculous.
“Now contractors are refusing to work on properties as they are frightened of being fined. The same will occur if we have furniture or appliances delivered.
“In an email to me one council parking officer has even said she was a bit surprised that the estate agents didn’t advise or point us in the direction of the council for clarification.
“We have got to have work done, but this is proving a nightmare. I thought Staffordshire Moorlands District Council would like to see young families trying to improve homes in the area, but they are not supporting us at all.”
Leek county and district councillor, Charlotte Atkins, below, who is supporting the family in their dilemma, said the council should be welcoming people to improve homes.
She said: “The bus station was built long after the houses in Cromwell Terrace were there. That development has cut off access to the front of the Terrace and there is no access at the back. So residents have no way of loading or unloading large items whether it be furniture, white goods or building materials.
“Many young families have moved into the Terrace and some are carrying out renovation works. That work should surely be welcomed by the council as it is improving Leek’s housing stock.
“But Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has done nothing to help residents. I asked for residents to be given some discretion when they are loading or unloading so they can park on the bus station for short periods to do that. I was told by the SMDC that parking attendants would be flexible.
“However, Rachel Bourne was issued with a parking penalty while loading building rubble and it was not overturned on appeal. The council seems happy to let a Cabinet Member mark out his own private parking space (although thankfully this has now been removed after protests) but not to support families who are just trying to live their lives, without getting fined every time they need something large removed or delivered to their homes.
“It has got to the point now that some workmen refuse to work on Cromwell Terrace properties because they risk receiving parking tickets, if they need access to the tools or equipment in their vehicles. It is time the SMDC recognised the real needs of residents, who pay their council tax, rather than ignoring them.
The Post & Times contacted Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for a comment.
A spokesperson said: “Unloading and loading from vehicles is permitted and parking enforcement officers will not issue a ticket when this activity is being observed; residents must be seen at the vehicle at least once in every 10 minutes. Unattended vehicles where no loading or unloading is witnessed will be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice.”