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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Andrew Robinson & Ryan Merrifield

Man's nightmare as parked cars surround his home - and there's nothing he can do

A man has been left fuming by "inconsiderate" motorists who park outside his house - and says some have even crashed into his property.

Adam Shaw claims some of the bad parking is down to the nearby school and wants restrictions putin place by the local council.

He claims sometimes vehicles are left there all day, forcing parents with prams to manoeuvre the tight road.

Adam, of Almondbury, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, is also upset that some drivers have collided with a low wall and the decorative stonework outside his house.

He said a coach once even hit his house's guttering.

The frustrated occupant believes some of the parking issues are down to "laziness" of staff at nearby King James's School - who sometimes struggle to find space in the car park provided.

Adam has lived on the street for three years and says neighbours share his annoyance.

Have you been affected by a similar problem? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk

Adam says people who block off the pavement are 'inconsiderate' (Yorkshire Live/MEN MEDIA)

He told YorkshireLive: "People speed past and hit my wall.

"My mum has stepped out of my house and nearly had her bags taken out of her hands. Someone came down so fast they hit a rock and carried on going."

He says the property's stonework has been hit "multiple times" by passing vehicles.

Adam has raised his concerns with Kirklees Council about inconsiderate parking and speeding but says he hasn't had any success.

"It's not just parking outside houses - it's congestion, speeding and a general lack of consideration from parents and teachers," he said.

Adam has been in touch with the school and says they do remind people to show consideration to local residents but, he claims, the pleas don't seem to be heeded.

He says St Helen's Gate is a "gorgeous" place to live and he wants to stay, but he'd be happier if action was taken to restrict street parking via a 'no stopping' single yellow line.

"Drop-off (by parents) don't bother me," he added.

"It's the daytime parking of teachers. These people work for the school. My neighbour can't get her pushchair past and has to go into the road."

Adam says his complaints have "fallen on deaf ears" with no action being taken.

"I'm frustrated with the council. It doesn't seem (to matter) how many times I complain to them and tell them about the issues. My anger is not at the school, it's at the council not doing its job."

Adam says there's enough room for around three cars to park opposite his house, but some days "five or six squeeze in".

"People abandon their cars here all day - it's laziness...they (school staff) park as close to the gates as possible - is is bone idle laziness."

He joked: "My mum has been telling me I am turning into a grumpy old man."

Adam says the summer months bring added problems when parents sit in their cars and leave the engines idling, sending fumes into his house.

"They sit outside the house for half an hour, letting the fumes waft in. They don't care," he explained.

However, he added: "Regardless of all this, I love living here. All I want is my yellow line. A short yellow line to restrict it to three cars."

Almondbury councillor Bernard McGuin said: "I agree with the resident that this area should have restrictions imposed on it. When the school was extended, by the planning committee, I did raise concerns about parking and speed. We were promised a review of traffic and it has not yet been done.

"I welcome residents getting involved in this community matter and I regret damage to their cars. Anything to afford help to them would be appreciated from Kirklees Highways.

"The school staff are not breaking the law by parking off school site and police are not going to act unless they do."

He said parking on the pavement and causing obstruction of the pavement is an offence.

Councillor Naheed Mather, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The council are aware of the issues on St Helen’s Gate, and since the expansion at King James School the team have been monitoring the area to assess the impact.

"As a result of this we are now working with ward councillors on proposals to address long stay parking on the road, that occurs during the day, and will be engaging with affected local residents in the coming weeks.”

The Mirror has also contacted King James's School for comment.

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