Parking permits a 'waste of time' on busy road

Terrance Hamilton said many people do not live on the street but park there

People in Lincoln have reacted to a parking permit proposal which could be implemented to try and ease congestion on residential streets.

Cranwell Street residents said drivers from other permit zones and football fans frequently leave cars on their street.

City of Lincoln Council has suggested creating zones on either side of the southern end of High Street.

Kieron Manning, assistant director of planning, said permits would also help keep the street clear on Lincoln City matchdays.

People from other permit zones as well as football fans park on the congested street

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, residents in the area said their roads were constantly filled with commuters and fans heading to the LNER Stadium.

Terrance Hamilton has lived on Cranwell Street, which would be included in the proposed permit zone, for 50 years.

He said: "It's especially bad on matchdays when football fans ignore the available space on South Park and leave their cars here.

"But I refuse to pay for a permit, it's a waste of time."

Becky Hewitt, 27, described the parking on Cranwell Street as "horrendous".

"My dad works nights, and he sometimes has to park three streets away when he comes home," she said.

"A parking permit scheme would be "pointless" unless it guaranteed people would be able to park on their own street."

Becky Hewitt, (right) said fire engines and ambulances have a real problem accessing the street

Similar schemes have been introduced near the city centre, but have pushed parking issues further down the High Street.

The council estimates the scheme would cost £70,000 to set up, and would generate £175,000 by 2030.

It would need the support of at least 51% of residents in a referendum, and the agreement of Lincolnshire County Council.

The zones would cover the area between Sewell's Walk and Spencer Street and Boultham Avenue to Sidney Terrace.

The proposal was discussed at the council's Executive meeting on 3 June, where leader Councillor Naomi Tweddle said: "It's much needed in that area of the city."

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