Calls for crackdown on bad parking

A TOWN-WIDE review of parking has been called for after repeated problems caused by drivers in several Dorchester roads.

Town councillors have also called for more enforcement in areas where residents are suffering from parking across their driveways, on verges and on pavements.

They say that Dorset Council promised a review of parking in the county town years ago – but nothing ever came of it and requests for additional restrictions since then have been mostly been turned down.

The issue was raised after concerns were expressed by residents about parking in Cromwell Road and other roads close off Monmouth Road, adjacent to the town’s South rail station.

Parking in Cromwell Road, near Dorchester South Railway Station (Image: Supplied)

The area, which has few restrictions, is widely used by rail commuters, town centre workers and those working and using Brewery Square.

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Residents say parking on corners; on yellow lines; across drives in the few places they exists; and on pavements have become increasingly common with car owners who are challenged likely to become aggressive.

Pavement parking in Cromwell Road (Image: Google Maps)

Said ward councillor Molly Rennie: “People are parking illegally. The problem is enforcement… we should be asking the parking people and police to walks the roads in the area more frequently, including at night,” she said.

Cllr Stella Jones told the town council planning and environment meeting that there is also problem parking in Icen Way and North Square, with Cllr Les Fry adding Fourgates Road to the list where he says pavement parking is common and claims parking on both sides of the road would stop a fire engine, or ambulance gaining access in an emergency.

Parking on the pavement in Fourgates Road (Image: NQ)

Said Cllr David Taylor: “Enforcement is an issue on a town-scale. People just don’t care and say to those who complain ‘what are you going to do about it?’”

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He says he often has problems getting his mobility scooter around the town because of badly parked cars.

Cllr Fiona Kent-Ledger said she did not believe more yellow lines were the solution, as they often made parking difficult for residents, but called for more visits to problem areas by parking wardens.

Cllr Rennie said a highways officer from County Hall should be invited to a future town council meeting to explain what was happening, if anything, with the promised Dorchester traffic management review: “We have waited long enough,” she said.