Highways chiefs have given the green light to a raft of new parking restrictions in Sunderland.
City bosses approved the scheme for the Ashbrooke area of the city in an attempt to cut down on ‘indiscriminate parking’ which is affecting the safety of walkers and drivers.
Some concerns were raised ahead of the decision to impose the new regime, but most of these were dealt with by the city’s transport department.
“Residents were very concerned about Ashbrooke Sports Ground and St John’s Church and we worked with both to develop a slightly different scheme to other areas,” said Stephen Dixon, one of the city’s engineers.
“It’s individual bays, for residents on one side and for the church and sports ground on the other, the majority of businesses and residents were in favour of that scheme.
“In total, three objections or comments were received, we worked with two who were then more than happy to remove their objections, but we were still left with one from a resident living outside the area.”
Dixon was speaking at last night’s (Tuesday, March 17) meeting of Sunderland City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee to rule on the proposals.
The scheme is set to double yellow lines, permit holders only parking bays and limited time parking bays added to streets including Ashbrooke Road, West Lawn, Tunstall Vale and Brookside Gardens.
According to a report from the city council’s highways department, commuter parking currently makes it ‘difficult or impossible for residents to park their vehicles’ near their own homes.
Conservative councillor Michael Dixon said he was ‘bamboozled’ by concerns for the impact on businesses.
His party colleague Coun Peter Wood, who represents the city’s St Michael’s ward, which includes Ashbrooke, told the panel there was ‘strong support’ for the new scheme in the area.
“What we have in front of us is a scheme which has been very carefully thought through,” he added.
“It addresses all the issues which have been raised with officers over quite some time.
“The existing Ashbrooke scheme has proved very popular with residents in the area, it eases parking for them during the day and evening and also with commuter parking.
“The objector is clearly not a resident and may be part of the problem.”
