Councillors investigate Woodhouse parking problems

12.55.33pm GMT Wed 8th Aug 2007

Local councillors Penny Ewens and Kabeer Hussain have been investigating complaints of illegal parking in the area around Blackman Lane, Woodhouse.

City-centre commuters have been using the grass verge adjacent to the new Blackman Grove Multi-use Games Area (MUGA) as a make-shift carpark; much to annoyance of local residents.

Councillor Penny Ewens (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) said "I went out with the police at 7:30am earlier this week to visit the new MUGA to see what we could do about commuters parking on the grass immediately adjacent. The police had spoken to one or two drivers before I arrived and we saw several cars turn round and drive away when they saw the police van. Some of the commuters apparently stopped other drivers from coming up Blackman Grove to park on the grass but the roadside of Blackman Lane was already full of commuter cars.

Cllr Ewens continued, "It is our intention to advance the date for the already agreed planned barrier round the area, as soon as possible after the contractors have completed their work the barrier will be erected."

Cllr Hussain, who has been involved in tackling similar parking problems in Little London and Hyde Park, has flagged up the issue with council officers.

Councillor Kabeer Hussain (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) added, "I can understand the frustrations of local people who see commuters from outside the area come into Woodhouse and clog up the surrounding streets and now their green spaces.

"Work on the MUGA is due to be completed in a couple of weeks. In the meantime we will be keeping a close eye on the situation. Any commuters found parking illegally need to know that they could face heavy fines."