TRAFFIC problems that have plagued elderly residents in a Uttoxeter street — and led to warnings that their lives were being put at risk — could soon be at an end.
Inconsiderate parking around Manor Close has been a major problem during the last few years since auctioneers Bagshaws began holding sales in nearby Short Street.
Visitors to the auction house would regularly park on the narrow streets rather than the nearby Smithfield Road public car park — leaving some roads barely passable.
The situation came to a head in September last year when an ambulance carrying elderly Manor Close resident Gerald Chatfield was unable to enter the road due to vehicles obstructing the junction and he had to be carried home by neighbours.
However, after years of fighting, Staffordshire County Council finally looks set to bring in restrictions at the junction and at numerous other locations in the vicinity to ease the problems caused by inconsiderate parking.
Uttoxeter Town county councillor Geoff Morrison said he practically had to ‘beg on his knees’ to finally get the scheme on the agenda and told the Advertiser he was ‘ecstatic’ that it appeared to be coming to fruition.
He said: “It has been going on for quite some time. When Bagshaws do have sales, people come in from everywhere and streets just get jammed up by 4x4s.
“This scheme will prevent parking on the narrowest part of that area and keep it open for vehicle movements and stop people parking at the entrance of Manor Close.
“You can understand that people are worried that if they need the emergency services they might not be able to get down there.
“We have been working on this for quite a while and I’m hoping this will be the answer.
“There is a priority system when it comes to highway schemes so I have had to be patient but I’m pleased that we have got this done and I hope everyone agrees so there are no forks in the road.” The plans involve installing double yellow lines on both sides of Manor Close from its junction with Heathfield Road.
Double yellow lines would also be installed on areas of Heathfield Road, Short Street, and at the junction of High Street and Wharfe Close where inconsiderate parking is also an issue.
Waiting restrictions in the parking bays along Short Street are also proposed to be introduced for Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm, one hour with no return within two hours, while limited waiting times in that road on Wednesdays between 7am and 10am would be revoked.
A consultation on the proposals is now under way and the cost of the scheme would be in the region of £2,000.
