Council staff parking upsets residents

Residents living in Hawksbill Way in the Vista Estate at the rear of Peterborough United’s London Road ground have said since Peterborough City Council moved to their new offices last month, staff have been using the street as a car park - meaning there is no space for residents to park, or their cars are left blocked in.

Neil Thomas, who lives on the street, and has previously campaigned for parking restrictions to be placed on the road, said: “It has been bad since I moved here five years ago.

“There are 0.7 parking spaces per flat here, so space is limited as it is.

“Now Fletton Quays has opened we have lots more council staff coming to park down here.

“We also have builders working on Fletton Quays parking here too.

“People are parking on double yellow lines, blocking people’s drives, and parking near the roundabout.

“There was a three car crash on Monday morning, and more crashes will happen too.

“The council needs to do something about it, because it is getting worse and worse.”

Mr Thomas said there were also problems with parking at weekends when Peterborough United were playing at home - but he didn’t have an issue about extra traffic at Posh matches as he knew it would be an issue when he moved in.

Fletton and Stanground councillor Christian Hogg said: “It has been a problem, especially since the council moved.

“I know they have done their best to warn staff, but it is still a big problem.

“I know a few residents want permit parking down there - but we have been told it won’t be possible until March next year.”

A spokesman for Peterborough City Council said: “We are aware that this has been happening, and staff have been informed internally not to do this. We will continue to monitor the situation.

“We offer staff a range of options based on how often they intend to use it and which car parks they intend to use. You can purchase an annual permit paid for monthly as a deduction from your salary, or an occasional permit bought in sets of 10 daily sessions. The costs for permits varies and is worked out in relation to salary.”

A consultation about parking permits in the area will be launched in October.