Sports visitors accused of 'dangerous' parking

Parking by visiting sports teams has been criticised by a local resident

Members of visiting sports teams have been accused of parking "dangerously" near a sports facility.

Alan Reed, who lives near Grayfields Sports Pavilion in Hartlepool, said he first raised the issue with the council about a year ago.

He is concerned that people who use mobility scooters and crutches are unable to safely get past on the paths on Jesmond Gardens.

Hartlepool Borough Council's Kieran Bostock said single yellow lines were being doubled, giving 24-hour parking restrictions.

Grayfields has dedicated parking facilities, with more spaces available on weekends at Jesmond Gardens Primary School.

However, Mr Reed said he had seen a situation where an ambulance “couldn’t get past” due to how the cars were parked.

The 66-year-old added: “My main worry, along with people in wheelchairs and on crutches, is young kids running straight across the road in between parked cars."

'Dangerous and inconsiderate'

The retired chemical industry worker added that staff at Grayfields, which is home to FC Hartlepool, shared his concerns about players from away teams parking on the road.

“It affects everybody really, they’re sick of all the car parking issues as well," he said.

“It’s impacting all the streets around here, it’s dangerous and inconsiderate.”

Mr Reed claimed that, while there was one week where an enforcement officer went out and ticketed the cars, the problem soon returned.

Mr Bostock, who is the council’s assistant director for neighbourhood services, said: “Our enforcement team will continue to monitor the area and motorists who fail to adhere to the current restrictions run the risk of incurring a penalty charge notice.”