Kentish Express Ashford & District
Double yellow lines plan for 19 roads
Proposals to introduce double yellow lines on 19 roads on Ashford’s Cobbs Wood industrial estate and the Godinton Park and Repton Park housing estates are a “last resort” to end the parking chaos.
The problems, particularly in roads such as Loudon Way, have been described as an accident waiting to happen as up to 20 cars a day park near the junction with Chart Road.
The parked cars cause traffic mayhem at peak times, especially during the school run, with cars often unable to get onto the Godinton Park estate because access is blocked.
The vehicles often remain parked on the housing estate from early morning until about 7pm, leading people to presume they belong to either people working on the nearby Cobbs Wood industrial estate or the Stagecoach bus depot.
Fear
But some residents fear the introduction of double yellow lines will simply move the issue to surrounding roads and further into the estate.
Godinton ward member Cllr Bernard Heyes said: “Double yellow lines do not always solve problems.
“Those cars that were parking there are not going to just disappear, they are going to go somewhere else.
“We have to be very careful when implementing these parking restrictions and double yellow lines was a last resort.
“We tried to contact the bus company to stop them parking there but they did not so we have been left with no alternative. I sincerely hope it helps but only time will tell.”
A spokesman for Ashford Borough Council said: “The proposed ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions in Loudon Way will prohibit obstructive parking between its junctions with Chart Road and East Lodge Road and have been put forward to address safety concerns from residents and ward members.
“Achieving a reduction in overspill parking from Cobbs Wood will require joint working between the borough council, the county council and the businesses themselves.
“We plan to report the results of the consultation to the Joint Transportation Board meeting on December 9.”
The proposed parking restrictions are part of the Godinton Ward Order 2014 and are now open for formal public consultation until Friday, November 14.
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk