Residents of a once-quiet Newport cul-de-sac have pointed out serious problems with inconsiderate parking and road safety to their local councillor and to Island Roads.
Councillor Chris Whitehouse (Conservative, Newport West Ward) recently met with residents of Lark Rise in Newport, who are increasingly frustrated by inconsiderate parking in the road by non-residents leaving their cars and vans there in part to avoid parking charges in Newport town centre.
The situation is also said to be in part because of the reduction in off-street parking during the rebuilding of Christ the King College.
Councillor Whitehouse says:
“Whilst it’s a bit of a political joke for councillors to be photographed pointing at problems, this situation has gone beyond being funny. Local residents are seriously concerned that inconsiderate parking risks serious injury to the life and limb of pedestrians, particularly children, and other road users including youngsters on scooters and bikes.”
The residents’ meeting, organised by Jill Willoughby, herself a resident of Lark Rise, pointed out that in some places the road is deliberately made extremely narrow to slow down traffic, but if a single car parks close to the narrow section it is very difficult to pass safely without driving over gardens, which is now a common experience. Drivers are also often unable to see past the parked vehicle and pose a threat to other road users and pedestrians when they swing out to pass it.
The residents also want to extend yellow lines at the corner between Lark Rise and Fieldfare Road so that cars turning into the road are not obstructed and don’t have the driver’s vision restricted by parked vehicles.
Island Roads local Steward, Sean Wyse, attended the meeting, listened carefully to the concerns of local residents and using his iPad at the scene submitted a formal request for consideration to be given to yellow lines being put in place in several places in Lark Rise.
Councillor Whitehouse added:
“What could have been a very ill-tempered meeting, so frustrated are my local residents, actually became very constructive and enjoyable once local residents realised how supportive Island Roads and I are of their concerns. We also looked at the need for hedge cutting and tree pruning along the Purdy Path and at some shocking vandalism of local trees. I’ve taken up all these points with Isle of Wight Council Officers, Island Roads, and, where appropriate, the Principal of Christ the King College.
“If you ever have a problem as a local resident, don’t hesitate to ‘point it out’ to me!” says Chris
