Councillor’s bid to end road misery
ACOUNCILLOR is leading the fight for parking restrictions in a bid to end residents’ 15-year nightmare at the hands of inconsiderate motorists.
Cllr David Barton is campaigning for time-limited parking to be introduced in Cromer Road, Birkdale, to end the misery endured by local people.
Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes ward, is a leading campaigner for the restoration and regeneration of Southport.
He said “Residents have endured inconsiderate car parking throughout weekdays and weekends for 15 years.
“Residents beneath Hillside Bridge and close to the railway station have had to put up with verbal abuse, obstruction, speeding, fear of crime and cars parked for extended durations especially during the holiday season.”
He is calling on fellow Sefton Council district councillors to follow previous recommendations from highways officers and Merseyside Police and agree to fund the introduction of time-limited restrictions to tackle the issues.
Cllr Barton hoped the move might also help curb a worrying number of burglaries in the area recently.
Cllr Barton said: “I have been on multiple site visits both with residents and by myself to observe and address this long-standing matter.
“I have been in correspondence with Sefton Council Highways Department, Merseyside Police, Merseyrail and Southport Homewatch Association to gain any support possible for the residents to resolve both issues of inconsiderate car parking and creating a safer neighbourhood in conjunction.
“It is my hope that after all this extensive work and negotiating I am able to now secure the support of the remaining district councillors so that we may commence the car parking restrictions as soon as possible to prevent any more disharmony between residents and the commuters who have been parking at Cromer Road for extended periods of time.”
Cllr Barton has recommended the residents detail a record of bad parking and involve the local Homewatch scheme, recording any activity the residents think may be suspicious.