Residents demand action on rogue airport parkers
COUNCIL COULD INTRODUCE PERMITS TO STOP HOLIDAYMAKERS AND STAFF LEAVING THEIR CARS ON STREETS
PARKING permits could soon be introduced on more streets near Manchester Airport to stop holidaymakers and workers from ‘car dumping.’
Manchester council has vowed to investigate after the latest wave of complaints over vehicles blocking roads and residents’ driveways around Wythenshawe.
When the M.E.N. visited the area on Tuesday afternoon, including Selstead Road, Woodhouse Road and Lincombe Road, we saw rows of cars parked up over the pavements which residents insist belong to holidaymakers and some people who work at Manchester Airport.
Some, they said, were dumped for up to a fortnight. Manchester Airport Group (MAG) provides a free car parking space for all staff directly employed by them, but outside firms decide on their own provision.
And residents claimed rogue parking firms – who charge customers to look after their vehicles while they go abroad – were also using their streets as makeshift car parks.
Where inconsiderate parking has proved a problem elsewhere, including on nearby Moss Nook and Shadowmoss, the council has introduced permit parking.
And in response to M.E.N. queries over the latest complaints, town hall chiefs say they will consider doing the same where cases are proven.
Kieron Wilkinson, a resident of Kingsgate Road who works at the airport, is calling for swift action from the council.
He said: “I get blocked in all the time, they park over the end of my driveway. I’ve got the parking inspector’s number handy and I’m always having to get them to come and tow cars away.
“I’d say it’s 20 per cent airport staff and the rest are holidaymakers and parking firms.
“Sometimes we can’t get out to go to work. It makes us late and affects our employment. Usually when we come out in the morning it’s too late and the car’s already there. If the car’s over our driveway the parking inspector will tow it.
“We don’t want to tow and cause financial expense to someone - but if we are blocked in we have no choice.”
Kieron, who pointed out one car which he said had already been parked outside his home for a week, says the area should become a resident permit area, adding: “It is a frustrating problem, and in the past month it seems to have got even worse.”
He said greater provision of staff parking at the airport during the £1bn transformation works would also help.
Lee Stewart, 37, of Lincome Road, said: “It’s been happening for years but it’s getting worse because roads closer to the airport have become permit-only so they have moved on to us.”
Andrew Egerton, of Selstead Road, added: “As soon as I move my vehicle it’s replaced by an airport one. They are always in front of my house. You see cabin crew wheeling their bags out to the airport.”
The M.E.N. also spoke to three colleagues who work at the airport for an external firm.
They were heading to their car, which they park on Kingsgate Road every morning, before walking to the terminals.
One said: “Otherwise, with all the roadworks and airport works going on it can take us an hour to get there. We think the airport needs to do more to provide staff parking rather than just making money and then we wouldn’t have to do this. And loads of staff do it.
“Residents have approached us about it a few times and we do understand, but we aren’t doing this by choice.”
A Manchester council spokesman said they were actively looking at ways to reduce airport-related parking congestion in the area, with options including ‘non-resident parking restrictions.’
He added: “We would be happy to discuss residents’ concerns with
them. We will also continue to work with the airport and other partners to come up with constructive solutions. Where we believe a residents’ parking permit scheme would be effective this is something we would consider, as evidenced by the Moss Nook and Shadowmoss scheme introduced in 2016.”
A MAG spokesman said: “Holidaymakers have a wide range of options of how they arrive at the airport from the rail station, to coach and Metrolink as well as a variety of car parking options. We would always advise against parking in residential areas.
“All MAG staff are provided with a complimentary parking space in car parks across the campus.
“There are a large number of other companies that operate on the Manchester Airport site, all of which make their own individual arrangements for staff parking.” He said they were aware of staff experiencing congestion on their commute due to a ‘number of schemes’ on the road network, adding: “In such instances, we strive to work closely with the organisations involved to ensure the projects concerned are delivered as quickly as possible, with minimal impact on airport users. “We also work closely with Manchester city council and other partners to minimise the impact of rogue parking in the Wythenshawe area.” The M.E.N. has told over recent years of rogue ‘meet and greet’ parking firms parking cars on fields, country lanes and residential streets around Wythenshawe, Styal and Altrincham.
Sometimes we can’t get out to go to work. It makes us late and affects our employment Andrew Egerton