Could double yellow lines on junctions mean end of the road for problem parking?

As part of the proposals put forward by Herts County Council, the parking restrictions have been drawn up for Longfield Road, Beaconsfield Road, Highfield Road, Miswell Lane, Goldfield Road, Cobbetts Ride, Barbers Walk, Windmill Way, Station Road, Clarke’s Spring, Dundale Road, Meadow Close, St Peters Hill, Plaiters Close, Park Road, Park Street and Hastoe Lane.

The new markings will increase visibility for motorists pulling out at the junctions, therefore decreasing the risk of accidents.

In some cases, the new markings will be an extension to existing double yellow lines.

Nick Hollinghurst, county councillor for Tring and the villages, said: “Strictly speaking, it’s not necessary to paint double yellow lines on these junctions, but it’s the psychological effect.

“If there are no lines, they can only be prosecuted for obstructive parking by a police constable or PCSO.

“But if the lines are there, traffic wardens can issue a ticket. It gives scope for a fixed penalty notice.”

The Highway Code states that motorists should not park ‘opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space’, but the sheer number of cars causing congestion in the roads listed mean county traffic officials have decided to take action.

But when asked where the surplus cars will park, Mr Hollinghurst said: “It’s a continuing problem, as Tring is not a new town and we have lots of houses that do not have off-street parking. Many homes have two cars or more.

“If there were better public transport it may be feasible for people to leave their cars at home.

“But we cannot stop people buying cars, so we need to manage the situation in the best and most neighbourly way we can.”

After an initial consultation last year, several markings were shortened after feedback from residents.

But despite comments on local social media pages online, Mr Hollinghurst said that implementation of the scheme had been a ‘positive exercise’.

He also explained it had been decided that a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) would not be appropriate for the area in this instance.

He said: “CPZ brings its own problems because some residents do not want to pay for it, and it can also be a very inefficient use of space.

“In marking out spaces that are big enough to accommodate different sizes of car, you invariably lose a few spaces that would have been 
available had everyone just made their own arrangements and shuffled in.

“Also, you would have to follow the regulations to the letter, meaning that those who had not paid for permits would see empty spaces during the day which they cannot not park in.

“It gets people quite wound up.”

Commenting on the proposals on the Everything Tring Facebook page, Barbers Walk resident Katie Macauley said: “I think it just means cars will park further up the road, which for me means still blocking my drive so I can’t get in or out! Some people are so thoughtless.”

Another commenter, Sharon Maxfield, said: “It’s about time they did something about people who think it’s ok to park on junctions and corners, making it difficult if not impossible to see to get out of roads like Goldfield Road onto Miswell Lane.

“If this is what it takes, that every junction and bend in Tring has to have double yellow lines on, then so be it.”

Andrea Lane, who lives in Highfield Road, said: “I welcome the yellow lines at the junction of Highfield Road and Miswell Lane and the other roads that join Miswell. “It’s a nightmare to pull out from there. I’m guessing that people will park further up Highfield, Beanconsfield etc.”

Objections to the proposals can be made until the end of today (July 22) by sending an email to [email protected].

To view the plans in more detail, click here.