Beaconsfield Parking Restrictions to be increased after call from residents

Beaconsfield Town Council is to fund new parking restrictions rather than wait until Buckinghamshire County Council can afford it after repeated calls for action from residents who say they are being blocked into their driveways by inconsiderate parkers.

Restrictions on parking in Beaconsfield are to be increased to stop commuters parking in residential streets following complaints from residents who have been plagued by the intrusion.

Councillors voted to spend up to £9000 putting in restrictions in six streets close to the town centre where parking is to be banned for an hour in the middle of the day.

As reported by Polly Manser in the Beaconsfield Advertiser, Residents approached by the paper are generally pleased at the plans but some commuters are angry. Graham Richards, a resident of Curzon Avenue who spear-headed the campaign for restrictions, said he and his neighbours were pleased that action was finally being taken.

"I've lived here for 17 years and it's been getting worse and worse. Twice this year I've had a car parked across my drive and I've been unable to get out."

But shop workers told the Advertiser they have no alternative but to park in streets because they cannot afford car park charges of £5.40 per day or £470 for a six month season ticket.

Andrew Hammond, assistant manager at Fat Face, who parks in Candlemas Mead, which is to get restrictions, said: "It's a disgraceful, just because people don't like parking outside their houses. £5.40 for parking is an hour's pay for some people."

Caroline Piercy, a duty manager at Waitrose, confirmed that staff - many of whom earn a basic wage of £280 per week before tax - are not permitted to park in the customer car park because it is too small for both staff and customers.

And a staff member at Marks and Spencer said that up to 22 employees park on residential streets on any given day to save money.

In a straw poll of ten shoppers by the Advertiser on Tuesday five approved and five disapproved of the plans.

One said: "Parking has definitely got worse. Three years ago I used to be able to park on the corner of Wilton Road and Ledborough Lane to pick up my children from the school coach, but you can never park there now."

Another said: "The problem will just be moved to other roads. Is the council going to put in parking restrictions all the way to Holtspur?"

Beverley Knight said: "People park on Chesterton Green and then take the train into London, they should be paying for a car park." Charges at the station car park are £5.40 per day or £860 per year."

Councillor Alan Walters of Beaconsfield Town Council said: "We are doing this for the safety of residents who live in the affected roads. I can't comment on where (shop and office workers) should park."

Parking restrictions are to go into Curzon Avenue, Burkes Road, Rolfe Close, Candlemas Mead, Melton Drive and Cambridge Road next year.