Rogue Parking in South Street – How Long Before Someone is Hurt?

On 15th May 2012 a concerned resident wrote an article about how irresponsible parking in South Street was creating a danger to mothers and children, forcing them to walk on the busy road with push chairs because vehicles were parked on the pavement, calling for action before someone gets hurt.

When trying to pass the illegally parked vehicle(s), larger vehicles (lorries, buses, etc.) are often forced to mount the opposite kerb, risking the drop to the sunken pavement, and potential collision with buildings on that side of the road.

It’s now October 2014 and nothing has changed. This section of South Street by NatWest is still a nightmare, with people parking to use the bank/ATM and other shops in the vicinity. Surely something should be done about this before it’s too late.

It has been suggested that this section of road should be narrowed to a single lane, leaving no room to park without fully blocking the road. Alternatively the Market Place junction and the South Street corridor could be officially designated a "no-parking zone", and the road painted with yellow crosshatching. Both ideas have considerable merit.

With road works starting on 27th October to address drainage issues in this same area, it would be the ideal time to tackle both issues.

When Somerset County Council took control of on-street parking, traffic wardens were introduced around town in a bid to stop irresponsible parking, and stories of tickets issued unfairly became a regular topic of discussion.

A recent conversation with a warden in the vicinity revealed a surprising situation. He said that they have to give drivers five minutes before booking them. He spoke about a car parked outside NatWest Bank. The driver came out and drove away inside the five minute period, so wasn’t booked. While watching that car, another car drew up behind it. This driver also went into the bank, came out, and moved on inside the five minute safe period. Again, no booking. The warden was standing nearby and in plain sight.

What’s the point of paying wardens to police the streets if they can’t book drivers on the spot?

Legally the only drivers allowed to park on the double yellow lines are those with disability badges, but on this busy section of road even that could be interpreted as irresponsible parking because of the dangerous corner, and the risk to others.

Any solution needs to take into account that in the event of accidents, or road works on the A303 Wincanton By-pass, the only diversion route is through town bringing more traffic and an exponential increase in danger.

The current A303 works diversion mitigates risk because it only takes place at night. But an accident during daylight hours results in an immediate diversion through the High Street, and an increased risk of accidents at all sensitive road sections, especially South Street.

Who is responsible for this sort of issue? What must happen to see it resolved?

Comments

Hubschrauber
Posts: 1

Car parking South Street
Reply #1 on : Fri October 24, 2014, 17:30:26

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I completely agree that rogue parking is an increasing problem in Wincanton. Whilst I sympathize with the problems of South Street, I would like to register the increasing problems in Common Road. I particularly worry about the amount of vehicles parking on the bend near Balsam House and the junction with High Street. With the increase in vehicular and pedestrian traffic on Common Road occasioned by the new estate and the excess speed of some drivers, it is only a matter of time before there is a nasty accident particularly as vehicles are forced to take the bend 'blind' to oncoming traffic.
I do hope that the Town Council are aware of the problem and are considering some action before it is too late.

iangmclean
Posts: 1

South St
Reply #2 on : Thu November 06, 2014, 20:57:22

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The road is actually quite wide, so to stop parking , widen the pavements on both sides and put metal railings up on both sides. Make the road width passable for single file vehicles and no room for parking.

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