Throw the book at these dozy parkers

Parents park on double yellow lines and in resident-only parking bays outside Hathershaw College

ELDERLY residents of a congested street in Oldham say it is only a matter of time before someone comes to serious harm as a result of the parking chaos.

People living in sheltered accommodation near Hathershaw school say parents’ parking has got so bad that a fire engine or ambulance would struggle to get down their street in an emergency.

Residents in Lynmouth Avenue and Bellfield Avenue are now pleading with the council to lay down the law to people flouting existing measures.

Double yellow lines have been painted down one side of the roads, while the opposite sides have seen a residents’ parking scheme.

This, locals argue, is ignored daily without fail.

One 73-year-old resident said: “If there are two cars coming it’s gridlock.

“Eventually somebody will need an ambulance and they won’t be able to get down the street.

“We have lived with it for 10 years but as the school has grown bigger the problem has just become horrendous. We’ve had enough.

“Parking attendants are here all day, and have even booked visiting carers, but come school-leaving time they are nowhere to be seen. I just want them to do their jobs and get tough.

“We all look forward to July because we get six weeks of peace, but then it’s back in September.”

Residents say they have even had Oldham Council chief executive Charlie Parker down to visit the area, but nothing has been done since his observations.

One resident argues that a drop-off lay-by could be created on Ashton Road for parents collecting pupils.

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said the council was aware of the problem and was treating it as a parking hotspot as well as sympathising with residents.

He said: “We have sent enforcement patrols specifically timed at the start and end of the school day.

“These motorists are putting all road users at risk and are causing annoyance and upset to the residents in the area.

“Our parking officers visit the site regularly and have issued parking penalty charge notices to motorists who illegally park their vehicles. Drivers have been warned. We are not accepting any excuses — they will be booked.”