Fourteen fixed penalty notices were issued in the village on parked vehicles that were causing an unnecessary obstruction.
A police officer visited Redesmere Drive at about 8am on Friday, 31st March, and whilst issuing the £30 fines he witnessed a waste collection lorry trying to get down Redesmere Drive. The truck could not get through the double parked vehicles and had to reverse onto Ryleys Lane.
PCSO Sarah Stanley said "These vehicles were given the tickets for one or more of the following reasons: blocking the foot path, double parked or parked on/opposite the junction with Winderemere Drive. Unnecessary obstruction covers any offences whereby a motor vehicle has been used to obstruct the highway, which includes footpaths."
She added "I have previously reported the issues above to CEC and requested restrictions to be put in place to help reduce the problems in this area. However I think this might be at the bottom of the list due to all the other road improvements currently underway in the village."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I was parked on the correct side of the road. There are no yellow lines there. I was not on the pavement. I was facing the right way. Vehicles could pass easily.
Apparently I was an 'unnecessary obstruction'. What a piece of horse-poo!
I consulted many entries on Google; not one explained how I could possibly have been an obstruction.
I also consulted on Google as to whether it was best to pay up or ask for a day in Court. EVERY advice, from both lawyers and non-lawyers advised paying, as in Court I would be found guilty and have to pay hundreds of pounds in costs etc. So 'the fix' is in eh ?
I seem to recall something from a document of 1215 about a 'right to justice and a fair trial'; yes I know that's overkill, but it seems I'm being stuffed.
I hope 'they' choke on their lousy £30.
A Police Officer was there at 'about 8 a.m. eh? So who stuck the ticket on my windscreen at about 9 am ?
I've been a life-long supporter of my local police and I'm sure the Police Officer involved was only following orders but as far as I'm concerned, the Police Commisioner and the Chief Constable can both give up their limo and try parking around A.E. village !
I'd also like to hear that our A.E. Councillor for C.E. would look into the unfair penalty for those of us who were not causing any real obstruction (double parkers get what they deserve of course).
By the way, does anyone know the actual distance I can be from a junction (on the other side of the road) before the Law sees me as an obstruction ?
Oh yes; another thing on Google was that this sort of mini-blitz usually follows a complaint from a neighbour there. Anyone care to 'fess up?
It just leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
Still, look on the bright side: this may be the first living police officer seen in the village this year? Roll on the first cuckoo !
The first one there can't have been 'double parked' so is this a spot of 'summary judgement' i.e. one of them is bookable, but as we can't tell which we'll 'do' both of them.
The plot thickens ?
Come and try the lanes around Gawsworth School around 8.45am and 3.00pm for some really exciting parking. Parking all over pavements, on corners obscuring views for any driver, engines left running - you name it. And there is a perfectly good car park 5min walk away.
I must pull you up on a couple of things you said.
Parking on pavements is not actually illegal (outside London).
You also say you are not sure that someone (I assume you mean anyone) has a right to park in the street as a matter of course.
May I ask who has to give permission for a lawful driver to park on a public road.
You may well be legally correct, but the practice of parking on (and blocking) pavements should be outlawed.
I witnessed an old couple, in their 80's - him pushing her in a wheelchair - having to drop down a kerb and push the chair 10 metres in the road, to circumvent some Audi-driving idiot that had parked his car completely on a pavement outside his home.
Common sense, courtesy and consideration should prevail to prevent the need for litigation don't you think?
Cars actually parked 100% on pavements.
Rather more ticketable than the picked on responsible folk parked on Redesmere (not the double parkers).
Was there a Police Officer to be seen? Hollow laughter !
"Parking on pavements is not actually illegal (outside London)."
Blocking a footpath is !
If so, someone had best get cancelling that ticket ?
I was only pointing out that Bob's statement was factually incorrect.
I didn't say I agreed with it.
"Common sense, courtesy and consideration should prevail to prevent the need for litigation don't you think?"
I wholeheartedly agree with Alan on this.
The world would be a much better place if this was so, in all walks of life.
If the rule re. 'obstruction' of the entry to Windermere was applied to London Rd., would we have pretty much a car-free London Rd. ?
May I put up one last spleenic comment?
I believe that the response to entries above have shown that the actions of whoever was responsible for the cock-up have no intention of explaining who was behind it or why that limited area was chosen.
No comment from any part of the police authority, or from the PCC (he may be busy with his little fuss re. appointing an assistant!), or from C.E. Indeed no part of the local authorities whatsoever.
Let alone any form of apology !
So do we now await the next mini-blitz somewhere else?
It still seems to me, that when confronted with an irate citizenry, those in authority just apply the mushroom treatment.
Twas ever thus!
I'll wager a risky 10p that 'they' don't do it on London Rd. !