CARDIFF Bay residents frustrated by a plan for more double-yellow lines on their street say they are already being forced to park illegally because of a lack of space.
The council wants to increase the Pomeroy Street parking restrictions next financial year to stop residents from blocking junctions by parking opposite traffic islands and on bends.
However, some residents feel the proposed nine-metre lines are unnecessary and will have a damaging impact on them being able to park. Some have already resorted to parking on pavements and islands.
Cars illegally parking on the footpath.
Ron Harris, whose family have lived in Pomeroy Street since 1942, said: “We are frustrated that the council are not listening, and I feel that we don’t have their support. There are not enough parking spaces as it is and we needs our cars.
“There have been no accidents on this road for 30 years, so it is unnecessary to limit the parking further.”
He added: “They are penalising us for being a poorer area in comparison to others in Cardiff because we don’t have driveways.”
Only 24 permit parking spaces are available now to serve 87 houses and 19 flats. The proposal would leave only about 11 non-permit parking spaces available.
More than 100 residents of Pomeroy Street and neighbouring roads have signed a petition against the double-yellow lines.
Residents suggested that single yellow lines should be painted and only five-metres round the bends. This would allow them to park during off-peak hours but the idea was rejected by council officers.
The double-yellow lines are also supposed to encourage Cardiff Bay residents to use public transport and not own their own cars. But residents say the existing service is not good enough, particularly for families with young children and the three disabled residents of Pomeroy Street.
In a statement, Ramesh Patel, Cabinet Member for Transport, Sustainability and Planning, said the parking situation was something for residents to think about when considering owning vehicles but Mr Harris said many residents had been living on the street long before there was a parking problem.
Councillor Patel added there were no plans to relax the restrictions and it was likely more would be put in place.
