Calls made to extend parking scheme

CALLS have been made for the Great Yarmouth residents parking scheme to be extended to other parts of the borough, including Gorleston.

Norfolk county councillor Colleen Walker wanted the permit system to be adopted in roads surrounding the James Paget University Hospital, including Wadham Road, Kennedy Avenue and Gresham Close.

She said visitors parked in these roads to avoid paying to leave their cars in the hospital car park.

She knew of an officer from the county council's highways department who had visited Gresham Close on another matter, but found he could not get in because of the number of cars parked in the road.

And one family in the area missed out on a trip to France because parked cars prevented them getting their caravan out.

Mrs Walker feared in the worst case scenario an emergency vehicle would not be able to get through.

“This needs to be highlighted. We don't need to hang about for a consultation. People down there are going to lose patience over this issue. Something needs to be done and it needs to be done in a hurry.”

But Paul Sellick, assistant engineer with the county's planning and transportation department, told Monday's county council area committee any extension to the scheme would have to be discussed at the next meeting of the Yarmouth Car Parking Steering Group.

He said the group would have to devise a strategy for residents parking across the whole borough, which could then be considered for funding from the county council.

The existing residents parking zone operates in St Nicholas Road, Euston Road, Marine Parade, St Peters Road and Alexandra Road in Yarmouth, having started in December 2006.

A report by the county council's planning and transportation department revealed residents parking cost Great Yarmouth Borough Council £125,000 to operate, while the total income recouped from the scheme was £123,600. Out of this figure, £51,100 came from parking permit sales and £72,500 from fines.