Proposed parking restrictions on the Hawthorn estate in East Cowes have been branded ‘completely over the top’ by local councillors.
The Isle of Wight Council wants to introduce double yellow lines across 53 areas of the Hawthorn Meadows estate and along Saunders Way, as previously reported by Island Echo.
It says the traffic regulation order is being proposed to deal with highway safety issues caused by parking that compromises safety of pedestrians. It was also hindering the ability of emergency service vehicles to pass through the estate.
The matter was discussed at East Cowes Town Council on Thursday, ahead of the final submission for public comments and following concerns from residents.
Town councillors recognised there had been some ‘silly’ parking on corners and junctions which needed to be dealt with but the planned restrictions were ‘completely over the top’.
Mayor of East Cowes, Councillor Tracy Reardon, said they seemed very extreme but did support increased safety measures.
Councillor Karl Love said one solution would be to impose a blanket 20mph restriction on residential roads to stop dangerous speeding.
There were concerns that opposing all the restrictions would see them disappear and not be brought back for a number of years.
Councillor Stephen Hendry used a map to highlight certain junctions and corners within the estate where ECTC agreed with the double yellow lines.
A main concern raised by councillors was where all the cars were going to go if they were not able to park where they used to. The Isle of Wight Council has already said they have no plans to deal with the cars displaced by the proposed restrictions.
Around the estate, parking spaces are provided for homes but with many households having more cars than private spaces, on-street parking is usually the only alternative.
Changes are being proposed to:
- Albert Way
- Brinton Close
- Chinchen Close
- Cromwell Avenue
- Gustar Grove
- Haven Close
- Lambert Lane
- Naval Terrace
- Saunders Way
- St Wilfred Drive
The public consultation has now ended.
Most families have 2 plus cars especially when their children pass their driving test. Maybe when granting planning permission on these large housing sites they take this into account and provide ample parking spaces instead of the emphasis being to cram as many houses onto the site as is humanly possible. This does not excuse bad parking of which there is a lot in East Cowes especially over night when everyone comes home from work, from parking on double yellow lines to parking on bends and even pavements, it is not just hawthorn meadows you will see bad parking it is everywhere on the Island.
Pavement parking is an absolute menace. Needs to be banned like it is in London.
It’s a relatively new estate right ?
Well, when it was going through planning, it should have been ensured that the access roads were wide enough, so that pavement parking was unnecessary.
They did not and so to ensure sufficient space for passing traffic, deliveries and so on, drivers have little choice but to partly park on the pavements.
It’s a planning issue, not a social or criminal one.
Tell that to someone with a pushchair, wheelchair or mobility scooter who has to go into the road to get past one of these inconsiderate a-holes.
It isn’t just on this estate either. It’s rife right across the island.
In any case, if pavement parking was illegal the planners would be forced to “ensure sufficient space”.
The IWC were fully aware when granted planning for these home’s, why did they?.Now they want to cause mayhem and eventually will charge residents to park elsewhere and probably residents permits for some. IWC created so they should put it right.
You are quite right. The IoW Council and Planning Department passed the plans for this (and other Councils around the Country have done the same). The roads are far too narrow to allow for ‘regular’ parking and still permit Emergency vehicle access, forget the fact that homes have multiple vehicles parked on what could only be described as ‘country lane’ width roads!
Why do you assume allowing for a home must equal a space for your private car a meter away from the property? Why is this even a base for thinking about this? Didn’t people buying the houses knew they are buying it on a very narrow street?
You can use public transport, bikes, and a car park, and walk last mile home.
When vehicles are parked dangerously or block emergency vehicle access, it’s not ‘silly’, it’s illegal.
And what is the point of 20mph zones when they are never enforced.
Maybe if the council ever did something about the not so silly parking, it wouldn’t have to come to this.
If tax credits were cut to the bone and only vouchers given for childrens clothes food etc then half these cars would not be there all day.
Ah, those people on benefits… public roads, everyone pays for them in taxes, just for some private vehicles to be stored there. Should I pay for your pantry in taxes as well?
Ah but cramming houses in is more profitable than parking spaces !!!!
Perhaps other planning permission for the many homes that are in the offing should consider this ????
Won’t hold my breath though !!!!!
And may I suggest that they build garages that actually can fit a car in !!!!!!
Not storage cupboards!!!!!!
It’s all downhill from now on !!!!!!
Do these councillors live on the estate? if not, shut up. It’s been a nightmare for years and I’ve lived there for 12 years.
Doesn’t councillor Love understand that a blanket 20mph speed limit will massively increase pollution from traffic? 30mph is a perfectly reasonable speed limit, if he is concerned about speeding drivers get something done about enforcement of the current limit! We need enforcement, not new laws, why can’t the council get that into their thick heads.
The council have caused the problem themselves by allowing developments without enough parking time and time again.
Now they want to put double yellows or resident on street parking everywhere.
They should be held to account, but that will never happen.