FOR the past however many years the residents living in the vicinity of the DRI have had the pleasure of members of the DRI staff using our streets as a public parking area, regardless of inconvenience to either the residents or to service vehicles including refuse collectors, ambulances or even fire engines.
We have been promised at various meetings over the years that the matter was being 'addressed' and then the amazing news that a designated park and ride car park was in the process of being made available to hospital staff. The flags were not out for
long, the next 'notice' we receive is that 'Yellow lines are to be put down throughout the area and the intention is that no parking will be allowed between 10am and 3pm. No residents parking tickets are to be issued as they are not deemed to be necessary or practical'.
So....they give us back out streets with one hand and then take them back again with the other.
Incidentally, from discussions with the 'powers that be' and other residents it would appear that if residents have not or do not reply to circulars then they are taken as agreeing! So be warned.
On contacting the office and our ward councillors I am advised that this decision is necessary as even if the park and ride car park is up and running, they cannot insist that the staff of the DRI use it, and that they would continue to park in our area.
So the judgement is that no one, not even residents, may park on the road during the designated hours with all that ruling imposes. This in their opinion solves the problem. To our minds the decision is along the lines of 'stuff the residents'.
All three of the people 'in authority' that I spoke to confirmed that I must park in my driveway during the day and that it was not even allowed for any of my visitors to park outside my home - except after those hours in hospital. I was told categorically that my visitors could come later and at weekends. Thanks for that.
The next thing is that notices of intent are to be pasted on lamp posts - we really are in eh 20th century here. No, I did not make a mistake. And then and only then we can object - in the meantime all the necessary legal proceedings are taking place. Am I naive in thinking that I could be wasting my time?
I hope that you will publish my letter and hopefully the residents who feel as I do - a bit like a door mat - will join in protesting - before it is too late and we wake up one morning and the lines are down.
C Sharpe
Intake The full article contains 467 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
