Parking problems lead to concerns about safety
STUDENTS and visitors parking on a Loughborough road are causing access and visibility issues, the Echo is told.
Borough councillor Paul Mercer says problems started in Wicket Close when Loughborough University students returned in summer.
He told the Echo he believes the cars predominately belong to students and parking on either side of the road is creating a risk.
Coun Mercer said: “There’s two issues with cars parking both sides on this narrow road; you can’t get through so fire engines definitely can’t get through and young children play in the streets. If cars are blocking the visibility, it makes it quite dangerous.”
Leicestershire County Council said it was aware residents had concerns and the road was the responsibility of housing developer William Davis.
It said in order for the council to adopt a road, developers must meet the council’s design standard, and maintain it for at least 12 months following completion.
A spokesman for William Davis Homes said it was looking into the matter and it was “working closely with the local authority”.
The spokesman said: “The main problem is parking by non-residents at the access onto Beacon Road, and we are waiting to hear if this is to be a no parking zone so we can add yellow lines.
“In the meantime we have left polite notices on cars requesting drivers not to park there and have provided residents with ‘no waiting cones’ which unfortunately were stolen shortly after being put in place. Residents have our assurance we are taking this issue very seriously and are hopeful of a positive outcome very soon.”
A university spokesperson said it discourages students from bringing cars to Loughborough as part of its commitment to sustainability.
It said: “The university has no formal authority to enforce parking issues off campus but will always try to work with residents and other agencies to endeavour to resolve any issues of concern.”
Sergeant Matt Oswin, from Loughborough Police, said the force too was aware of the situation but there was “no pattern to the problems that have been reported nor is there any individual vehicles identified as causing repeat problems”.
He said: “A PCSO has spoken to local residents and police have been in liaison with the local council regarding the issue.
“Section 99 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 gives the police a power to remove vehicles causing an obstruction or danger. The vehicle must be physically obstructing the highway opposed to just being a nuisance.”