A major clampdown is being planned for Whitehaven in a bid to tackle traffic and parking problems.
Double yellow lines, parking disc zones and more parking spaces for disabled people could be brought in, if the proposals go ahead.
The move follows concerns over parking chaos in Whitehaven, which has worsened in recent years, with householders and councillors reporting indiscriminate parking around town and surrounding areas.
Eighteen areas including Whitehaven Market Place, town centre streets and Hensingham roads have been targeted by Cumbria County Council. A council spokesman said the proposals are set to increase the amount of parking in the town centre; improve driver visibility at junctions; and prevent obstructions on roads.
The consultation for the proposals, known as traffic regulation orders (TROs), ends on June 16.
There has been mixed reactions from community leaders and traders.
Traders are set to meet today, at The Vine pub, in Market Place, from 5pm, to discuss concerns.
The county council says the measures at Market Place would “provide extra parking provision and support local businesses” and it would “allow the free flow of traffic through the Market Place, reducing the risk of vehicular and pedestrian collisions”.
Coun Carla Arrighi, who runs Arrighi’s Seafood Restaurant, agrees with the disc parking and more spaces for disabled people on Market Place but has hit out at the plans for loading restrictions saying it would be “detrimental” to her and other traders.
She said: “We just can’t run our businesses if we can’t unload.”
County councillors Graham Roberts and Emma Wilkinson will also be at today’s meeting.
Numerous parking problems were raised at Whitehaven Town Council’s latest monthly meeting.
Some residents at Meadow View called for specific residents’ parking to be introduced.
Coun Michael Guest, for the Kells ward, said he supports the residents.
He said the problem has worsened as workers park on the outskirts of town, rather than parking in the multi-storey car park. “I have been hearing moans about parking in the town all the time I have been here.
“This is an ongoing issue,” he said.
A county council spokesman said: “Cumbria County Council is currently consulting with the local community on a number of proposals regarding traffic restrictions in and around Whitehaven town centre.
“Several proposals, including those at Queen Street, Duke Street, West Strand and Market Place are to increase the amount of disc parking and disabled person’s parking bays in the town centre.
“Others, such as Woodstock Lane, New Road and Rutland Avenue are to prevent obstruction of the highway by installing double yellow lines.”
Details about the proposals can be sought by contacting Cumbria County Council via email at trafficteamwest@ cumbria.gov.uk
The proposals include:
Duke Street: Install a section of parking for disabled people within the existing restricted zone and also replace double yellow lines and a section of loading goods vehicles with disc parking places.
Strand Street: Install a section of double yellow lines
Market Place: Install additional disabled person’s parking and disc parking places and replace double yellow lines with a no loading/unloading restriction (a loading area will be located elsewhere).
Coach Road: Install disc parking places (residents permits exempt) and double yellow lines.
Queen Street: Disc parking places (permit holders A exempt)
West Strand: Replace a section of coaches parking only to disabled person’s places
Sneckyeat Road: Install a section of double yellow lines
Egremont Road: Install double yellow lines
Calder Avenue: To install and replace a section of double yellow lines with a single yellow line
Woodstock Lane: Replace a section of double yellow lines
Homewood Road and Rutland Avenue: Replace sections of double yellow lines
Ginns to Kells and Cart Road: Make permanent the sections of double yellow lines
Meadow Road and Whinlatter Road: Install additional no entry and one-way restrictions
Spur Road, off Catherine Street: Installing a section of double yellow lines
Meadow View: Replace a single section of single yellow lines with double yellow lines
New Road: Install a section of double yellow lines
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