In advance of the New Town and Broughton Community Council AGM/meeting on 13 May, Chair Ian Mowat is again consulting Albany Street residents about the respective merits of end-on and angled parking.
Last month we reported how NTBCC had temporarily blocked a plan to introduce angled parking on Albany Street's south side (Breaking news, 25.4.13). This followed objections from 6 locals who feared that the move would encourage dangerous U-turns by vehicles approaching from the north side of the carriageway.
Now, however, more locals have weighed in with persuasive counter-arguments. They argue that cars leaving end-on bays at speed often cause other road users to swerve and hit parked vehicles.
They also point out the dangers of reversing from end-on spaces with children on the back seat. This process can be even more hazardous, they say, when large vans, lorries and even mobile homes block lines of sight. They suggest the Council restrict the size and/or weight of such vehicles, which often park on Albany Street in the late afternoon and remain until morning (see photo).
'It is plain that both end-on and angled parking have disadvantages,' says Mowat, 'but I would be interested to hear whether this information, which is probably new to many residents, changes the balance in favour of angled parking'. He asks locals to email him their thoughts in advance of NTBCC's 13 May meetings, at which the relevantly informed Alasdair Sim (CEC Interface Manager – Trams) will be present.
Spurtle has no axe to grind on this subject, but common sense suggests:
- drivers should exit end-on spaces slowly and carefully, thus not causing other road users to swerve
- residents could back into end-on spaces, thus avoiding the danger to rear-seat passengers involved in reversing out
- a 20mph speed limit would help all concerned
- there may be no immediate solution available.
Surely, the real problem here – as on many other streets across Broughton and the New Town – is that there are simply too many vehicles in a city centre not designed for them (Issue 218, p.1). Until the Council grasps that bull by the horns, parking problems will be here to stay.
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