End parking peril in Lamlash
‘If you have people parking on the bend it just makes the situation much worse’
Roads chiefs have been asked to come up with a solution to end a parking nightmare in Lamlash.
The big increase in the volume of summer traffic has turned the village into a real bottleneck, with cars parked down both sides of the main street. But the biggest problem is the junction near the Co-op, which has been highlighted as a major safety concern because of indiscriminate parking.
Cars parking on the bend are blocking the line of sight for drivers and are making it, at times, extremely difficult for drivers turning out of Benlister Road, in particular the Thomson construction vehicles.
Police on Arran have for weeks been trying to alleviate the situation but admit there is little more they can do unless new traffic restrictions are put in place.
The issue was discussed at Arran Community Council last week where members
considered a report prepared by Sgt Allen Dodds on the situation.
The problem at the junction is particularly acute for vehicles going south, and Lamlash representative Daniel Lamont said: ‘If you have people parking on the bend, it just makes the situation much worse.’
And Shiskine member Neil Arthur added: ‘If you cleared the cars at the bend it would give a clear line of sight going south. It is just lazy parking with people determined to park at a junction.’
PC Valerie Gray said that while it was in the Highway Code that drivers should not park within 10 yards each side of a junction, it was not an offence to do so, unless it was deemed dangerous. She said the police had been working hard to try to help resolve the issue and added: ‘We are willing to help when we can.’
Mr Lamont agreed, saying: ‘There is not much the police can do.’
He said Lamlash Improvements were in favour of parking bays, at least along the straight section, and keep clear signs at the bend so people could be moved along.
But the meeting heard that while lines such as ‘H’ bars painted on the road were advisory and did not constitute parking restrictions.
The community council heard that the parking problem was exacerbated by trade vans and other commercial vehicles using the car park at Hamilton Terrace, with vehicles sometimes parked all weekend, blocking the spaces for others.
They also said there was a lot of long-term parking by residents.
Vice-chairman Bill Calderwood said: ‘It is up to North Ayrshire Council to get something done. Sgt Dodds has done a lot of work on this for which he is to be commended. Let’s hope his extensive response can start the wheels in motion.’
However, members heard that calls for a box junction were not the way forward with Mr Lamont commenting: ‘A box junction is not appropriate and it is a very long process.’
And members heard that some villagers did not want yellow lines either, with Lamlash representative Jim Henderson stating: ‘The community is not keen on yellow lines.’
Wait
It was agreed to wait for a response from North Ayrshire Council and that a combined approach could be taken on parking issues with Lamlash Improvements and other improvement groups on the island who had parking issues, including Corrie and Sannox Improvements.
A spokeswoman for North Ayrshire Council said: ‘We will be assessing parking practices on the A841 at the junction with Benlister Road, Lamlash, in the next few weeks to determine any appropriate action.’
Roads bosses have confirmed that a yellow box junction marking ‘would not be appropriate’ at this location.