Is this the end to parking misery?
HUNDREDS of families whose lives are blighted by cheapskate drivers clogging up residential streets will soon get the chance to park outside their own homes.
Talks are being held today to finalise detailed plans to introduce long-awaited residential parking schemes in towns across the Moorlands.
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Demand for residents-only zones has intensified since Staffordshire Moorlands District Council took over the enforcement of parking regulations from the police.
Many people who previously ignored restrictions because they were not enforced by police have ended up being fined for parking outside their own homes.
Worst-hit have been families in the Ford Street, York Street and Deansgate areas of Leek.
But residents in many areas of Cheadle have also endured parking misery since pay-and-display fees were rolled out across the district.
District councillor Stephen Ellis, portfolio holder for planning and development, has been spearheading the drive for the schemes to be introduced.
He said: "We are discussing residents parking at a long-overdue meeting of the Staffordshire Moorlands Parking Board today.
"They wanted to leave the meeting until September, but I have pushed for them to hold one in August.
"We are recommending schemes in Leek, Cheadle and Biddulph. I am very excited about the prospect – we promised this a long time ago and now things can move forward.
"We have undertaken the relevant surveys and the feedback has been very positive.
"It is going to be good news for people in town centres who face problems every day with people parking in their residential streets."
Cheadle Town Councillor Ray Wood, who lives in Charles Street, Cheadle, said: "I welcome it. I have been campaigning for some form of residents' parking for a long time. It is virtually impossible for many people to park outside their own home during the day.
"There are also problems in other areas of the town, such as Bank Street and Town End.
"People park there all day to avoid having to pay.
"I hope Charles Street is included. I will be interested to see the details of the scheme."
One resident, who has lived in Charles Street for the last 20 years, added: "People coming into Cheadle were forced away from Tape Street car park on to the side streets when they introduced pay-and-display charges. Since then, it has been a nightmare trying to find a space."
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5 Comments
by Peter, Nr Cheadle
Thursday, August 27 2009, 2:53PM
“A message to Derrick,
The money for car parking in the street does not go to the DVLA, but the greedy council.”
by The Streak, Cheadle
Thursday, August 27 2009, 1:24PM
“Parking is not over priced, BUT could be cheaper. Morrisons is free for two hours. No one stops in Cheadle anyway as the shops are rubbish and the one way system doesn't work, never has. For a "Historical Market Town" perhaps the council should look at promoting and developing that, rather than the "European" markets that they have.
These are just over priced goods, most of which you can buy on the high street (not Cheadles!!!) if you look hard enough. Not sure what dog blankets, shoes, wooden chairs and sweets have to do with being European though.
Oh yes, and I also agree with Derrick!!”
by Andi, Stoke
Thursday, August 27 2009, 11:12AM
“And now the residents will have to pay for a permit to park outside their own houses , its a win win situation for the council !”
by Derrick, A Once Great Land
Thursday, August 27 2009, 11:00AM
“I'm not at all sure what is meant by the sound-bite "cheapscate drivers". Why should motorists have to suffer the extortion of being required to pay the council money for the privilege of parking their cars on the very same public roads which their road taxes have already paid for many times over do you suppose?”
by Mick, Newcastle
Thursday, August 27 2009, 10:55AM
“It looks like the problem here was caused by greedy overcharging on the carparks.If the parking rates had been reduced then the "cheapskate" drivers would have used the carparks instead.”