Plans to tackle street parking near hospital
COUNCIL HAS AGREED ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN
Plans could finally be in place to tackle a parking nightmare for residents in part of Sunderland.
Sunderland City Council has agreed action needs to be taken to tackle problem parkers in the High Barnes area.
Coun Rebecca Atkinson, Sunderland City Council portfolio holder for housing and regeneration, has long petitioned for more controlled parking in the streets surrounding Sunderland Royal Hospital.
For more than a year she has been working with residents in High Barnes to gauge their opinion on the issues they face in their streets.
She said: “Having spoken with many people and investigated the matter myself, it is clear that these streets are attracting a huge amount of additional traffic, causing significant congestion and, in some cases becoming rather dangerous – with one instance of an ambulance becoming stuck in one street due to double parking.
“A large portion of the problem is clearly due to people using the streets to dump vehicles when attending Sunderland Royal Hospital.
“I have petitioned the council repeatedly to take action on this issue to help find a solution for residents and thankfully we are at a point where action is being taken.”
The council will soon embark on a period of consultation with people in streets impacted by parking issues and a letter will be sent to residents on September 27 outlining proposals for an extension of the parking permit scheme in operation in a number of streets around the hospital.
Coun Atkinson said: “I would then urge every single resident with concerns about parking in their streets to respond to the instructions in the council correspondence, which they will receive at the end of the month – if you want to express your views, it is imperative that you respond to that letter.”
Investigations of parking and traffic flow will be carried out on the streets most impacted by problem parking and residents will then have the opportunity to join the council’s Parking Management Scheme.
Coun Atkinson, said: “I am sure residents will agree that this is brilliant news for people who have been unable to park outside their own homes.”
“These streets are attracting a huge amount of traffic” COUN ATKINSON.