A LONG-SUFFERING Evesham resident has spoken of his relief after his and fellow homeowners’ parking nightmare was finally put to an end.
Mike Matthews, who has lived in Worcester Road for almost 50 years, told the Observer new parking restrictions on the road have made a huge difference.
Following about five years of complaints and trying to get action done, residents on the road now have a new parking permit which means they have the entitlement to park outside their home.
Because the homes on the road are close to the Evesham Railway Station it led to rail passengers parking on the road for most of the day which in turn created a ‘free for all’ parking situation. Sometimes cars would stay on the road for as long as a
week, leaving Mr Matthews and fellow residents fuming.
It meant for most of the time there was little or no space for residents to park which led to them demand town councillor Jo Sandalls find a resolution to the matter.
And following years of delays, residents’ frustration turned to happiness when Worcestershre County Council installed the new residents permit signs in February.
The permit allows for residents to park there at any time and for other drivers to park for a short stay period of 45 minutes only.
Mr Matthews told the Observer: “It feels such a relief to have the new parking permits and it has made such a huge difference
so far.
“Before the signs were put in place it was very rare we could park outside our home. If we had done a weekly shop we had to park across the road on the grass under the tree and walk up to our homes to bring the shopping in.
“It was even worse when the residents wanted to invite guests into their home. There was just nowhere to park, we were all in
the same boat.”
Worcestershire County Councillor Clive Holt added: “The problem with these things is the county council finds all you do is
move the traffic parking from one place to another.
“There has been a lot of pressure from local members to get the county council to put in residents parking.
“But this is a happy compromise because its 45 minutes for anybody to park which means the school children can be dropped off and picked up and allows residents a space as well.
“It’s quite unusual to have public parking combined with residents parking but I think it is a good idea.”
