Vincent Crowley outside his van blocking the Moorland Street side of Beresford Road bridge.
A SPLOTT man has blocked his street with a van in protest against parking tickets being given out during construction work.
Vincent Crowley is protesting against fines that he and his neighbours have received for parking on double yellow lines at the north end of Moorland Road.
The 53-year-old delivery driver parked his van on Monday where Moorland Road meets the currently out-of-use Beresford Road Bridge.
Mr Crowley has lived on the street for three years. He is allowing residents to pass but blocking construction workers from accessing the bridge, which is being raised as part of a Network Rail project to electrify the South Wales mainline.
Vincent Crowley’s van on Moorland Road.
“I am going to be here blocking the road every day until someone from the council comes to speak to me,” said Mr Crowley.
“The reason we are parking on double yellow lines is because we have lost five or six spaces on the bridge while it is closed for work. I know the work has got to be done, but the council should help to provide enough parking for residents.”
Mr Crowley claims that some traffic wardens have told him and other residents that they are allowed to temporarily park on double yellow lines next to the bridge while it is being raised. However others have continued to issue penalty charge notices.
Vincent Crowley sitting in front of his van.
“My argument is that while the work is going on, the council should officially suspend the double yellow lines so residents have enough space to park,” he said.
“One of my neighbours is having to pay more than £100 for three parking tickets because she could not find anywhere else to park.”
Neighbour Jeanette May, 54, supports Mr Crowley.
“I think it’s good that he is out there protesting these fines and it’s a shame that more people living on this road haven’t joined him.
“I don’t drive but my family who come to visit have had to pay fines for parking on double yellow lines because they can’t find anywhere else to go.”
Mr Crowley has been in contact with Splott councillor Ed Stubbs.
Coun Stubbs said: “I am in the process of organising a meeting with council about the yellow lines. Unfortunately it sometimes takes more than two weeks to sort this.”
The access to temporary pedestrian crossing next to the Beresford Road Bridge.
A spokesman for Cardiff Council said: “Anyone who receives a parking ticket is able to appeal if they believe it is unreasonable.
“We are given to understand this matter has now been reported to the police, as the gentleman is obstructing the highway and Network Rail are unable to deliver supplies to rebuild the bridge.
“This is causing unnecessary delays for Network Rail which will prolong the issue, as it impacting on them carrying out the work.
“The way the vehicle is illegally obstructing the road also poses an issue for the emergency services if they needed to access the top of Moorland Road which is potentially putting local residents at risk.”
Network Rail has declined to comment.
The Beresford Road bridge will be closed until next Spring.
Work on the bridge is expected to continue until the spring when Network Rail plans to start raising the Splott Road bridge and later the Adamsdown footbridge.
