Where else are cars supposed to park? Cricket star hits back in row
EX-ENGLAND cricketer David ‘Syd’ Lawrence has hit back at claims drivers are selfish for parking in Park Row’s “pop-up” cycle lane.
The Gloucestershire fast-bowling legend is among a number of business owners who have responded to accusations that vehicles are stopping to offload or collect in the lane, saying there is nowhere else to park.
Cyclists have called the pop-up cycle lane “useless” due to vehicles stopping there, while the mayor of Bristol has asked people to stop being “selfish” by ignoring the noparking rule.
However, Mr Lawrence, who has had a business on the road for the past 20 years, said there is no allowance for cars and vans which are dropping off or collecting.
“These cars which are stopping there are not random, they are connected to the businesses along the road. I have kegs and gas which are delivered,” he said, adding that should he double park, he would be in the path of any emergency vehicles going to the hospital. He said: “I don’t know where you are supposed to park, we pay our business rates.
“We could park in the middle of the road, but common sense must prevail. Anyone who parks there is generally connected to a business.”
Another business owner claimed that since the cycle lane had prevented cars from stopping or parking along the road, his business
had dropped by 30 per cent but that his rent had increased.
He said: “I have deliveries every day, where are they supposed to park? This (cycle lane) is killing my business.”
Another owner, who was busy offloading across the road in Park Row when the Post visited the area, claimed there were very few cyclists using that cycle lane as it is uphill, and was largely used by electric bikes. Another agreed, saying: “It’s a gradual burn, it’s all uphill.
“It’s taken away parking for anyone who came to get a sandwich, you have to use the multi-storey car park, so everyone loses except the electric bikes.”
A staff member at another business said customers complained about being unable to park or having to park in the car park which was “too expensive”.
There is parking for offloading around the corner, but the goods would then have to be carried the rest of the way. Suggestions for a potential way forward included business owners having a permit allowing them to park or offload.
The parking row in Park Row came to light when local cyclist Phil Sturgeon posted clips on Twitter, showing vehicles stopping in the cycle lane. The council advised that the pop-up cycle lane in this location is advisory and could only be enforced if it was specifically designated with a Traffic Regulation Order. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees fielded questions about the cycling lane in a full council meeting on March 14, where he called on drivers to “stop being selfish”.