Car dealership owners in Peterborough call for safety action over large number of vehicles parked on pavements

Bosses of a car dealership in Peterborough are calling for action to be taken to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists on a road right outside the business.

The demand comes from the managers of Targa Motor Co in Padholme Road East, who are urging council leaders to carry out a highways assessment and to look at putting in double yellow lines on the road.

The concerns have been prompted by the number of vehicles that are regularly parked partly on the kerb and pavement and which obstructing the pavements.

Oscar Exton said: “The current situation is creating multiple safety concerns for pedestrians, motorists, emergency vehicles, local businesses and members of the public.

“We believe the situation requires urgent attention before a serious accident or injury occurs.

He said: “This is not simply a request to improve parking convenience for our business, as we have our own parking facilities on site that suit our business needs.

“This is a wider public safety issue involving disabled pedestrians, emergency service vehicles, commercial traffic, customers and other road users.

“We are extremely concerned that, without intervention, the current situation could eventually result in a serious accident.

Mr Exton said that people with mobility difficulties who attended the nearby Helping Hands Group regularly needed to use the pavement and parked vehicles created significant difficulties, especially people using wheelchairs.

He also said that Targa’s own customers regularly struggled to obtain a clear view of approaching traffic when leaving the premises and pulling out onto the road.

He added: “We also experience a considerable number of ambulances travelling along this road with blue lights activated, often travelling at speed in response to emergencies.

“With vehicles obstructing visibility, there is a genuine concern that drivers emerging from our premises or other access points may not see an approaching ambulance in sufficient time.”

In addition, Mr Exton said there were issues with a large number of vehicle deliveries nearby as well as a good number of motors that were regularly parked in the area which appeared y to be untaxed and/or uninsured.

Peterborough City Council has been approached for a response to the company’s appeal.