Sheffield Council explains why it can't help with parking problem as drivers ‘abandon’ cars on road

Residents spoke to The Star this week to stress the gravity of the situation, which sees cars left haphazardly in the middle of the road and roadsides so crowded that people with special needs are forced to park a number of streets away from their homes.

Some even said that they were considering moving because they were sick of driving around their own streets, sometimes for ‘hours’, just to find a place to leave their car.

However, while police said that patrols will be taking place in the area, the Sheffield City Council has said that they are unable to provide measures to try and limit the level of dangerous parking in the area.

Councillor Bob Johnson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability at Sheffield City Council, said: “In recent years Sheffield City Council has suffered major reductions in the funding that it receives from Central Government.

“These reductions have impacted on the Transport Planning budget. So unfortunately, it’s not possible for us to satisfy all of the demands for schemes that we receive from across the entire city.

“All requests for the introduction of parking restrictions are recorded on a city-wide master list where each are assessed and prioritised.

“A request for double yellow lines at the junction of Vincent Road and South View Road is on the Transport Planning city-wide list. However, this is not in the planned 2020/21 programme of parking restrictions, at this time.”

The council also responded negatively to suggestions of bringing in a permit scheme, which some residents say they have seen working on other parts of the city.

In a standard emailed response to those who got in touch about potential Vincent Road parking schemes, a spokesperson for the council said: “We are currently developing a programme of works and seeking funding to deliver it, but I have to advise that while I appreciate you are close to the City Centre, I feel it will be a number of years before we consider installing a new scheme in your area or reviewing the existing schemes.

“In an area such as yours which includes Abbeydale Road, each business would also be given the opportunity to apply for a number of business permits and visitor permits and residents would also be given the opportunity to apply for visitors permits.

“Anyone with an area wide permit scheme would be able to use any road within the scheme to park. If pay and display bays were part of a scheme then obviously any member of the public could pay for a ticket and park in any bay marked as such.

“I am therefore not convinced that a permit parking scheme would alleviate the problems you are currently experiencing.

“I am sorry that we can't offer any immediate relief from the parking issues you have, but I trust that this information has explained our position.”