News / parking
Rogue yellow lines painted by residents fed up with inconsiderate parking
Frustrated residents in north Bristol have taken to street corners to provide double yellow lines where none exist.
Campaigners also placed yellow lines over vehicles parked illegally, claiming that traffic and parking is largely unregulated and rarely enforced.
“The result is a daily, unsafe and unpleasant assault course for pedestrians and cyclists”, residents say.
is needed now More than ever
The direct action was taken by members of the Bishopston and St Andrew’s Traffic and Parking Group (BOSA) who say that pavements in the area “are often inaccessible, unsafe and unwelcoming”.
“Parking on the pavement, even with just two wheels, can be dangerous. It obstructs safe sight lines for crossing the road and may force vulnerable pedestrians to negotiate kerbs where there are no drop kerbs and to walk in the road.”
Bishopston & St Andrew’s Traffic and Parking Group take the law into their own hands – photo: Paul Bullivant
Campaigners added: “Too often, drivers ignore the Highway Code which precludes parking within ten meters of a corner so that fire engines can round every corner and access every house.
“The blighted area, wedged between three, successful Residents’ Parking Zones, already attracts drivers wanting free, on-street, vehicle storage.
“If police or council enforcement officers are asked to sanction drivers’ behaviour, local residents are told that the double yellow lines are too faded to enforce; it is possible to squeeze past vehicles stored on the pavement; staff resources are too low to enforce the regulations; and it is suggested to lobby the council to provide more double yellow lines, dropped kerbs and enforcement.”
Bristol City Council already has the powers to regulate traffic and parking on residential streets, and more powers are predicted.
BOSA members want the next mayor and newly elected councillors to use these powers, and are asking every mayoral candidate and council candidate in their area to commit to using them to enforce illegal parking.
Main photo: Paul Bullivant
Read more: Council contractors stopped from turning grass into car parking spaces
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