Chief slams ‘selfish’ drivers over parking
Figures reveal six of fine hotspots in town centre
ATOWN hall boss has hit out at ‘selfish’ drivers after new data revealed that six of Stockport’s parking fine hotspots are within the town centre.
According to a Freedom of Information request, Bridgefield Street - between Redrock and Merseyway - is where most Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued in the 12 months to September 30 this year.
More than half of the 285 charges were for vehicles ‘parked in a loading place,’ with the second highest number (60) issued for illegal use of disabled spaces.
Other places in the town centre featuring in the ‘top ten’ include Great Underbank, Prince Street and Chestergate. Exchange Street and Market Place also make the list.
The borough’s highways come under the remit of Councillor Sheila Bailey, cabinet member for Sustainable Stockport.
While Coun Bailey acknowledges the data suggests an issue with people not obeying parking rules, she does not believe the problem is particularly serious in Stockport.
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “There’s an issue with non-compliance, mainly in the town centre because of the number of vehicles that go into the town centre, but also there are issues with some of our district centres as well.”
Statistics bear out her point about district centres, with Stockport Road in Marple being the second most ticketed area (270 PCNs). Elisabeth Gardens, in North Reddish is number six on the list, while Old Rectory Gardens and Wilmslow Road - both in Cheadle - also feature.
“I think if there was a significant issue then it would be mentioned to me,” Coun Bailey added.
“However, non-compliance is a problem however many [cases] there are because Traffic Regulation orders are put down in order to try and make roads safer for everybody, including motorists.
“And if people don’t comply with the parking regulations, whatever they may be, they are endangering other road users and pedestrians. So it’s important, obviously, that people do comply and that those that don’t are being somewhat selfish.”
Illegal parking in disabled bays was by far the most common reason for ticketing at Elisabeth Gardens and Rectory Gardens (157 and 121 PCNs respectively).
And it was also the second most common reason in in Bridgefield Street (60) and Great Underbank (89).
Coun Bailey had strong words for anyone depriving a disabled person of a much-needed space.
“That is incredibly thoughtless and people should understand that those bay are there for a particular purpose,” she said. “That’s to help people whose mobility is not as good as theirs and, therefore they need to be able to access spaces that will allow them to get to the places they wish to without having to go too far. It’s the height of inconsideration for people who don’t need disabled bays to park in them. I think that’s really incredibly thoughtless.”