Grassed area on Church Street & Parking

[Nikkib]

Hello, I live on Church Street and I wondered if anyone knows who to contact regarding the grassed area in front of houses number 7 to 25, and also the parking on the other side of the grassed area (on the main road). I understood when residents started having to pay for the privilege of parking outside their own house (as we do) that small bollards were going to be planted on the grassed area, to prevent lorrys & vans driving across it and also prevent parking on it. Does anyone share the same view as me, that the area is now looking terrible because of all the tyre marks !
In addition, the cars that park on the other side of the grassed area on the main road are a complete hazard when we are trying to get out of the small road we live in on Church Street, which are the houses set back from the grassed area. The yellow lines should be drawn on the road as well to stop this hazard, and you just cannot see to get out onto the main road and I have frequently almost had an accident due to the blind spot. It seems that the only people who are suffering from the parking restricitions are the residents that the restrictions were suposed to help ! Any comments or ideas would be appreciated.

[Alan Stubbs]

Hi
I am sure the Theale steering group will respond to your comments, I will make sure it is mentioned.

Cheers

[Nikkib]

Thank you Alan - much appreciated.

(31-03-2010 02:29 PM)Alan Stubbs Wrote:  Hi
I am sure the Theale steering group will respond to your comments, I will make sure it is mentioned.

Cheers

[Andy L]

Hi Nikki, I am not sure who is responsible, but I will forward this to David Wood of the Parish Council, and he may have some knowledge of anything in the pipeline or failing that, who you might need to contact.

Andy

Edit: Just heard back from DW who says: "I believe that this bit of land belongs to West Berks Council and it would be best to contact Streetcare on 01635 519080. I am copying this to the Parish Clerk in case she has any suggestions."

[amacro]

I have forwarded this thread to the officer at West Berkshire responsible for drawing up the Theale parking scheme.

I believe that the grassed area is "highways land" belonging to West Berkshire Council

[Gary Baldie]

It doesn't need dirty great bollards putting in the ground (although that could be a last resort). That grassed area is already covered by the double yellow lines, so you just need to call the parking team and get them to slap a few tickets on the cars/vans whenever you see them parking on the grass. The double yellow lines don't just refer to the road, they also cover the adjacent pavement or grass verges..... (Not a lot of people know that!!)

Call the parking team on 01635 519214..... I'm sure they'll be more than happy to send one of the boys round.....

As for parking on Church Street itself, there are double yellows at the junction to prevent vehs parking too close and this should help remove most of the obstruction. (Standard Highway Code stuff). But it would be completely unrealistic to remove all vehicles parking on all roads whenever someone reports a problem seeing left or right out of their entrance/junction. You'd never have anyone parking ANYWHERE on street then would you??!! Remember,... SOME people don't have private driveways or garages..

[amacro]

Reply from West Berks Council officer (some of which confirms whar Gary posted):

"We extended the restrictions either side of the service road exits to
ensure emerging vehicles had visibility up and down Church Street. I
will check to make sure the lining is in accordance with the order.
Parking on the grassed area is covered by the 'At Any Time' restriction
bordering the area. We will pass this to our Civil Enforcement Team, who
will check the area for offenders and ticket any vehicles found parking
on the grass.

We did indicate that if we had evidence of a persistent problem at this
location, that we would consider physical measures (timber bollards) to
address the issue, but we need to go down the enforcement route first,
to see if that solves the alleged problem. I will keep you posted."