This Is Staffordshire
11:20 - 27-August-2009
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.
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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