vSince the CPE (Civilianised Parking Enforcement System) came into force in Feb 2009 TRAG has been in regular touch with one of the Supervisers of the officers regarding the level of illegal parking on double yellow lines on Hexham Road, particularly in the vacinity of Dillons Fish Shop. To date (April 2010) we have noticed no improvement. Car and van drivers ignore the restrictions on a daily basis. We have informed Transport Managers of various companies from time to time when their drivers offend but feel we can do no more. In spite of our explanations to the Council of the potential dangers to pedestrians, it seems a 'nobody in authority cares' culture.
Members of TRAG attended the Development Control Committee Meeting held on 19 February 2010 to alert the Committee of the parking problems and hazards due to the illegal parking on Hexham Road. Cllr Keating, Cllr Stokel-Walker and Cllr Curthoys supported the members and their requests for action were much appreciated. When TRAG members returned to Throckley soon after attending the meeting, two Parking Enforcement Officers were already patrolling Hexham Road making their presence known.
For over two months (since February) we have documented our observations and have submitted these to Cllrs Keating, Stokel-Walker and Curthoys as suggested at the meeting a copy of this document can be found via this link Parking Problems - Hexham Road - April 2010 Report.pdf
TRAG would be interested to receive your comments and suggestions on how we go are to tackle this problem going forward. Please contact a member of TRAG directly or leave a message on the TRAG website contact page.
Notes:
Whilst opposing the Prospect House Planning Application Amendment 2009/0308/01/DET (which was subsequently granted in February 2010) the following is an brief outline of the objections submitted to Newcastle City Council by TRAG on 26 August 2009 which will have an additional future impact on the parking problems on Hexham Road:-
Throckley Residents’ Action Group object to this planning application on the following grounds:
1. The integration of a new entry point for residents and visitors of the proposed apartments however gives concern both because of the increased vehicular
exit points onto this short section of Hexham Road which is a main school access route and where in the space of approx 80 yards
between the western boundary of Prospect House and the Co-op Funeral Care Dene House, there are already currently 14 vehicle
exit points
2. Vehicles parked in front of the 3 Allendale House shops have to reverse out onto the road beside the pedestrian crossing into the path of
oncoming traffic which includes buses, commercial vehicles of many sizes, agricultural vehicles and Army tanks
3. Vehicles from the neighbouring residential addresses generally reverse out onto Hexham Road due to lack of turning space available and in
practical terms the illegal parking prevalent in this section of Hexham Road continues to obstruct visibility for drivers of all of these exit
points; parents taking children to the Primary School, pushing prams and buggies and elderly users of mobility vehicles cannot circumvent
the obstructions without having to go out into the road thereby risking their own safety.
4. The impracticalities of the separate 'daily' and 'weekly' positions for refuse bins being so far apart, the 'weekly' bin housing meaning that
the 8 apartments' 16 bins - more likely to be 24 in current provision- could be left strewn around the pavement because the refuse
collectors are unlikely ( to have time/inclination?) to replace them into the housing provided within the site; evidence for this assumption is
the current practice on collections days where bins are not replaced where residents place them within their drives off the pavement ready
for collection and to avoid obstruction of the pavement; the result for residents who are out at work for example is that pavements are
obstructed all day.
5. The Council's Parking Control is currently endeavouring to implement sanctions for the illegal parking, this new proposed access could 'make
a bad situation worse'.