Residents have complained about parking chaos around Banjo Island since parking charges were brought in at Cadbury Heath Hall.
People say drivers are parking on the street to avoid risking a fine for breaching the parking rules, which are enforced by a private company. The situation is especially bad at school pick-up and drop-off times.
One resident said: “It is madness. I had to do a library pick-up in the rain and ended up parking the other side of Banjo Island. The hall car park was completely empty and people were parked on both sides of the road. It must be very difficult for people who can’t walk that far. Last time I wanted to pick some things up from the Co-op I was up past the school before I could park and walk back. This could kill the high street.”
A few months ago the hall’s management committee brought in Horizon Parking, which uses number plate recognition technology, to control use of the car park.
The hall in School Road is used by various groups and for activities and events but there was an increasing issue with vehicles parking there for extended periods. Some were using it as an unofficial park and ride for buses from Banjo Island. This was preventing users who had paid to hire the hall from finding spaces to park.
Now visitors to the hall must log their vehicle registration number at reception. There are 14 signs around the car park and a large sign inside the hall telling people to key in their registration details to avoid getting fined.
It is acknowledged that the car park is a valuable resource for people visiting local shops, the library, and for the school run, and the new system allows a 30-minute grace period.
A £100 fine is issued for unauthorised or obstructive parking, for having no permit, parking outside of a marked bay or in a disabled bay without displaying a valid badge. Failure to validate for the full duration of the stay can also lead to a fine.
Problems with fly-tipping at the car park have reportedly lessened since the 24-hour CCTV system was introduced.