Let's solve the parking problem by converting the pavements to a car park - oh, we already did!
There has been much comment by members over possible solutions to the parking problems in the village, but it seems some canny motorists have solved the problems themselves - just use the pavement! Let's not worry about the pedestrians, they can use the road.
I wish I was joking but unfortunately I am not. In the past week alone I have been astounded by the totally selfish attitude of motorists to parking in the village. The parking on Clifton Street on Thursday 20 September around 4pm and Friday 21 September around 3pm was appalling.
Cars parked on the double yellow lines, totally blocking the pavement and dangerously close to the junction with London Road. Not just a couple but I counted five all at the same time. This made it dangerous for cars turning into Clifton Street and impossible for pedestrians.
Yes, I do know there are pavements on both sides of the road, but on the side where there are marked bays the pavement is very narrow, and impossible to tackle with a pushchair and I dread to think what you are supposed to do with a double buggy or wheel chair? Oh yes, that's right, go in the road.
Some of the vehicles had drivers sat in them and there were parking spaces further down Clifton Street. But it was damp, and we can't expect drivers to get wet can we? Pedestrians killed, no problem, but drivers wet! Heaven forbid!
Then today we had the school buses parked down Ryleys Lane. Again mounted on the pavement and obscuring a junction. Needless to say this occurred at a time when the road was busy with school traffic both on foot and by vehicle.
Apparently when challenged the driver parked at the junction with Church Lane and Ryleys Lane responded that he had been told to park at the girl's school entrance on Ryleys Lane (presumably by AESG?). So it seems now that as well as converting the village pavements to a car park AESG has a new entrance! Unless I am wrong the entrance to AESG is on Brook Lane.
And then finally, today at approximately 4pm an ambulance was making it's way out of the village on London Road towards Wilmslow. The traffic duly moved over as the ambulance, siren blazing, came through followed closely by another apparently normal vehicle (ie not emergency services) with a driver who was obviously far too important to wait in line in the traffic queues resulting from the closure of the bypass. I ask you.
Before moving to Alderley we lived in London. Traffic was a nightmare. Parking was a nightmare. Whenever possible you walked (even if it meant you did get wet!) You didn't park your car on a yellow line as you would get a ticket. You didn't park you car with your wheels on the pavement as you would get a ticket. If you parked your car so that it obscured the pavement for pedestrians you got towed away. You wouldn't have chased after an ambulance in you car, for you knew if you did, the likelihood was you would be needing an ambulance yourself.
When we moved here I didn't think people would be riding through the village in cart and horses and penny farthings, but I did think motorists would show common courtesy to fellow road users (pedestrians included) and obey the highway code and law.
Come on residents and businesses of Alderley Edge, claim your village back.
The pavement is for people (and sitting drinking coffee on, of course)!
This is a member post by Yasmin Din.
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Comments
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It's a real shame as I really like popping into alderley for a wander round the shops and a trip to the park but lack of parking usually puts me off and the park there is excellent but when the car park is predominantly used by commuters there are rarely spaces.
However, I also find it pretty ridiculous that so many people feel that the village isn't accessible without a parking spot! If only walking was still deemed a suitable method of transport...
In my view motorists park illegally because a) they don't care and b) low chance of being caught by the relevant authorities. I'd like to see driving points awarded for illegal parking and community service, both of which would have a far bigger impact than a fine.