Parking issue (From Durham Times)

Parking issue

2:12pm Friday 29th January 2010

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Sir, – I wish to express my sincere thanks to the many Brandon residents who braved the awful weather to attend a public meeting that Brandon and Meadowfield Residents’ Group and I arranged at Brandon Community Hall.

The meeting was arranged to discuss the dreadful traffic problems on Sawmills Lane in Brandon, adjacent to the Stoneacre car dealership.

Residents were shown plans of proposals drawn up by the county council to combat the traffic problems.

Our tremendously hard working MP, Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods, along with highways and traffic officers from the county council and police, together with County Coun Ronnie Rodgers were in attendance.

Residents informed the meeting of the regular blocking of the carriageway by car transporters delivering cars to the car dealership. Residents voiced their concerns about the large number of cars parked directly outside Stoneacre, some on the footpath.

People expressed their anger that this forced young mothers pushing buggies into the road and that the same was true for wheelchair users.

Dr Blackman-Woods, who chaired the meeting, was informed by irate residents that they were very worried that this situation would lead to a tragedy. Trading from the public highway, parking cars on grassed areas and local people unable to park outside their own homes were some of the other issues discussed.

I myself had the sad duty of informing the meeting that after some 26 years of loyal service, our wonderfully dedicated school crossing patrol lady had decided because of these traffic problems that enough was enough and that she had resigned from her job.

Somewhat surprisingly and I must say, disappointingly, Stoneacre declined my invitation to attend the meeting.

The meeting closed with a commitment from our MP to arrange a meeting between herself and all relevant parties, including Stoneacre, to attempt to find a resolution to the matter and then report back to local people.

Finally, on behalf of the people of Brandon, I want to say a big thank you to our MP, not just for attending this meeting, but because every single time we in Brandon have asked for her help, she has always been there for us.

It is heartening when lots of very negative political leaflets are being thrust through our letterboxes at the moment and with many political point scoring letters being sent to local newspapers, Roberta seems to just keep focused on caring and helping people wherever she can.

COUN PAUL TAYLOR County Councillor (Labour), Brandon

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