Concerns in Saints area of Harrogate over parking and 'potential dangerous incidents'
People living in the Saints area of Harrogate says the situation with parked cars is becoming intolerable - and “potentially dangerous”.
Long-suffering residents have become accustomed to living in an area near a major hospital and a secondary school with all the traffic that entails.
For years residents have lived with the frustrations of parking and traffic from the hospital staff, St Aidan’s and St John Fisher's sixth form parking, school parents at drop off and pick-up, along with football parking on the weekends and, sometimes, on evenings too.
They also know by experience how some people like to use Saints as a rat run to the Woodlands junction and Wetherby Road, leading to bottlenecks on what are meant to be residential side roads.
Now a resident and Harrogate Advertiser reader has got in touch to complain about an issue relating to parked cars in St Hilda's, St Winifred's, Yewdale Road and Wayside Avenue, in particular.
The problem, ironically, said the reader, is the result of recent road 'improvements'.
"When we had our roads resurfaced last year, the double yellow lines were shortened," said the Saints area resident who wishes to remain anonymous.
"We complained to our MP who complained to the relevant authorities and we were told they were going to redo them.
"This has not been done, creating potential dangerous incidents and blind spots when coming out of roads with cars parked either side that could lead to serious injuries."
North Yorkshire Council has introduced a 20 mph speed limit in the area but residents claim motorists still regularly speed.
"We do not seem to have any traffic wardens patrolling in the Saints area regularly, " said the reader.
"As a result, more and more people are parking on the double yellow lines, causing more problems."
The Saints area's traffic and parking problems are not new to North Yorkshire Council.
Over the years the council has considered various solutions to tackle traffic in the area.
The latest plans for Oatlands Drive include ‘speed cushions’, small, raised square bumps in the road which do not cross the whole road.