More double yellow lines proposed near county beauty spot
BID TO SOLVE OVERFLOW AND NUISANCE PARKING IN VILLAGE STREETS
MORE double yellow lines are being proposed on roads near Bradgate Park to try to solve overflow and nuisance parking near the beauty spot.
Council bosses are looking to bring in parking restrictions on five streets which park visitors have been leaving their cars in ever greater numbers - blocking traffic, causing congestion, and annoying residents.
Leicestershire County Council is consulting on new rules that would mean double yellows on parts on Main Street in Newtown Linford where they are not in place already.
They would also be introduced in Markfield Lane, Grey Crescent, Groby Lane and Sharpley Hill in the village.
Residents say parking problems have been particularly bad recently because lockdown has meant more people heading to Bradgate Park for fresh air because they cannot travel further afield.
The grassed parking areas cannot be used in winter meaning there is not enough capacity and that has pushed parking onto the nearby roads in greater numbers.
Councillor Trevor Pendleton, County Hall cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We have listened to the ongoing concerns raised by parish councils about the high number of vehicles parking on streets surrounding Bradgate Park.
“Instances of large numbers of cars parking on streets disrupt traffic flow, cause congestion, and can lead to accidents, which is a concern to local residents and road users.”
He added: “There has been a notable improvement in the situation since we implemented a no waiting scheme on Bradgate Road and Main Street, Newtown Linford, in 2018.
“We are hoping this positive change will continue by extending the scheme further on Main Street, Bradgate Road, Groby Lane and Markfield Lane.”
Some people in the village fear the new restrictions will simply displace the problem to streets further from the park but still within walking distance of it.
Charnwood borough councillor for the area David Snartt said: “That’s what happened to some extent in 2018 when the double yellows first went in.
“People just parked a little further away. In the past we have perhaps been a little bit piecemeal with the restrictions.
“But the only way it’s going to work is with proper enforcement.
“You can have all the lines you want painted on the roads but if fines are not being issued people will park on them. “That’s been happening on recent Sundays when there hasn’t been any enforcement.” There are also concerns the new yellow lines might push the parking problem down the road to Anstey.
Anstey parish councillor Lee Potter said: “This solution looks like it kicks the can down the road to us.
“The double yellow lines would come as far as Long Close in Anstey, and new signs have gone up in Bradgate Park pointing people to the public footpath to Anstey.
“It’s a 20-minute walk across open fields and people are already parking in Anstey.
“There are better ways of dealing with this - for example increasing capacity by putting matting down on the grass parking areas so they can be used in the winter.”
Objections can be made to the proposals by December 17 and the full details of the proposed scheme are on the council website.
Large numbers of cars parking on streets disrupt traffic flow and can lead to accidents
Coun Trevor Pendleton