'It will be a disaster' as Council set to limit parking on main road

Motorists have voiced concerns about a Milton Road junction recently redone
-Credit:Cait Findlay/CambridgeshireLive


The proposed parking scheme for Cambridge's Milton Road area has become the centre of debate. According to local dental practice staff, it could be "disastrous". The results of a consultation, which solicited feedback from residents and businesses, showed a narrow margin with 167 in favour of the restrictions and 142 against. CambridgeshireLive readers are equally divided and have been debating the issue in our comments section.

The parking proposal, introduced by the Cambridge Joint Area Committee – a cooperative effort between Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridge City Council – seeks to limit parking to permit holders during weekdays from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Out of the 339 people consulted, a slight majority supported the plan, while a close minority disagreed. However, within the specific catchment that includes the dental clinic (spanning Arbury Road, Hurst Park Avenue and Leys Road), opposition surged to 76 percent among the 242 respondents.

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One critic argued: "Restricting parking will adversely affect important services – the local dentist, child day-care centre, primary school, doctors' surgery and other important services have people commuting, and our neighbourhood welcomes their parking and walking to work in these local service businesses. Restricting this sort of flexibility makes it more difficult for people to take these jobs."

Supporters of the scheme offered a contrasting viewpoint, with one individual depicting local roads as being "choked with parked cars".

Commenter Penelope3 says: “It’s always the residents and private businesses who suffer from this parking blitz. Nearly every district is being penalised. It's fine if you can cycle, walk or use the bus. But if you own a car or business vehicle that’s it. These consultations are not fit for purpose. Has anybody been down Mill Road lately since the bus gate came in? Delivery vehicles have to use the side streets to turn around to exit the Petersfield side as there is nowhere to go. On some mornings it’s absolute mayhem. The side roads are now being churned up and the tarmac is being broken, never mind the state the main road is in, chock full of potholes.”

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Alanamy adds: “As well as the roads mentioned, it will be a disaster for those not included in the scheme that are close by as they will get the overspill.”

Bikelight points out: “Just wanted to make the point that the council does not have a maintenance schedule once the scheme has been implemented. If the road markings or lines become faded it is up to the residence to request repairs or repainting. There is no guarantee the request will be actioned.”

Secretagentman believes: “This is the council's revenge for failing to bring in the congestion charge. They don’t spend money on repairing the roads, cyclists are forced to ride in the middle of the road because their lanes are pot-holed too and we have crumbling pavements. No money spent on affordable housing but on traffic lights galore, blocking off roads and selling all the shop space. Cambridge has become a very sad place to be. The average residents of this famous city are being slowly erased out of their unaffordable cold damp houses, forced to pay high council taxes with doctor’s surgeries that only see 3 people a day. It's the year of the ‘have’ and ‘have not's’.”

Prefect agrees: “Local authorities have made a complete mess of Cambridge. In all the years I have lived in Cambridge I have never known the roads & pathways to be in such a mess as they are now. The number of cars parked on the paths is disgraceful, Cambridge is now beginning to look like a film set of a mad max movie.”

Thecyclingfeminist thinks: “Parking restrictions should be enacted everywhere! Proper enforcement is also required! Plenty of money to be had down Mill Road nicking all the illegally parked cars on the double yellows and even blocking whole pavements.”

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Welshknight asks: “Why should public land be given over and maintained for private or business parking? If you've no capacity to park on land you own or rent then move somewhere you can afford to or don't own a car.”

Penelope3 replies: “Why should a public bridge, put there for everybody to use, be closed to residents who don’t fit into a disabled clause, walk, bus or cycle?”

How do you feel about the new parking scheme? Will it improve the city? Have your say in our comments section.