A backlash is brewing in the back streets of Keswick over double yellow line plans put forward by Cumberland Council which could see up to 30 parking spaces being removed.
An informal consultation on the proposals – which would see no waiting at any time restrictions being introduced within the vicinity of junctions and on certain sections of highway where visibility has been an issue – has now been extended to April 4 to allow more time for residents and businesses to make their views known.
Paul Brannen, who is part of a campaign group for small back street area businesses and residents, said it was understood that driving and parking in the back streets can be tricky – particularly during the summer months – and it was appreciated that it is in the public interest for emergency services to be able to navigate the back streets quickly and safely.
However, Mr Brannen said the draft proposals put forward in the letter from Cumberland Council about the proposed Keswick traffic regulation order (TRO), in his view, go “too far”.
“Yellow lines in front of Davies taxis and the garden services business (Greta Street) are bordering on ridiculous – these businesses need drop off and parking.
“Some of the yellow line proposals around back alley junctions are also in certain applications pointless. The length and extent of the yellow lines coming away from junctions is too long on some proposals, they need to be shortened,” said Mr Brannen.
Meanwhile, Tim Mosedale, of the Elm Tree Lodge guest house, has estimated that in the order of 30 or so parking spaces – possibly more – could be lost through the introduction of double yellow lines.
“This consultation proposal, as it stands, will undoubtedly have a detrimental effect for the entire back streets area.
“If we are being deprived of any parking spaces then those vehicles, whether they be locals or visitors alike, will merely park elsewhere in the back streets – which will then move more and more vehicles further up Blencathra and Helvellyn Streets and, additionally, on to Manor Park,” said Mr Mosedale.
Former Keswick mayor David Burn said: “I think there is a safety issue in at least some of the back streets. I cycle through them regularly and often have difficulty seeing whether cars are approaching because of other cars (particularly SUVs) parked right up to the junction. I haven’t seen any collisions, but have seen lots of near misses.
“We need to solve this safety issue, but it is a question of balance. Restrictions do, in my opinion, need to be introduced on at least some of the junctions, but Cumberland need to keep these as short as possible so there is not too much loss of parking.”
In her column in this week’s Reminder, Keswick mayor Louise Dunn outlines that given the strength of feeling, town councillors asked for an opportunity to talk to the team at Cumberland Council who are working on this last week to comment on the initial plan.
She states: “We were able to raise issues on behalf of locals with respect to whether the double yellows on corners could be a bit shorter and still serve their purpose and let them know where stricter loading restrictions would impact local businesses.
“Given that the numbers of cars seeking to park will remain high, we also asked if this was joined up with the car parks and if there would be any deals for locals in the car parks, or some sort of visitor seven-day pass available for B&B customers. I was encouraged that they were willing to listen to the concerns we expressed on your behalf and saw a willingness to compromise if the main safety issues are addressed.”
The issue was also due to be debated at a meeting of Keswick Town Council last night.
As the proposals stand, double yellow lines are proposed for parts of Acorn Street, Blencathra Street, Eskin Street, Greta Street, Helvellyn Street, Myers Street, Ratcliffe Place, Shorey Lane, Skiddaw Street, Southey Street, St Herbert’s Street and Wordsworth Street.
The formal consultation on an amended plan will take place on May 6 to 16, followed by formal approval of the final version at the Cumberland Council Highways and Transport strategic board’s July meeting. Any plan that is approved is likely to be implemented in late September or October at the earliest.
