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Council inaction causes accident
October 14, 2008 11:27 AM
A semi-abandoned car park next to the former Moravian Church on Coronation Avenue in Westmoreland is at the centre of a row over access and safety between local residents and the Council.
The land was originally laid out as a car park for the church which has since been sold to a development company who intend to build flats on the site. The land was originally secured by gates but the Council ordered the removal of the gates saying that the area must be left open for access to the public right of way which runs alongside. This has lead to the car park being used locally as an informal parking area - cars awaiting repair are also being left there.
The use of this car park is now becoming a source of irritation to local residents and on Friday 3rd October at around 5.15 p.m. an accident was caused when a taxi suddenly veered towards the car park and hit another car. Paramedics were called to attend to the female driver, whilst the taxi driver disappeared.
Cllrs Sharon Ball and Lynda Hedges want action taken over the free-for-all parking
Local Councillor Lynda Hedges (Liberal Democrat, Westmoreland) said, "I have on several occasions asked the Cabinet member to do something about locking the gates of this piece of land beside the former Moravian Church. I feel that a 'stopping up order' would be an appropriate response to the danger to pedestrians and road users. However I have had no response from him despite alerting him to this danger over a month ago.
"This accident could have been prevented if the Cabinet member responsible had listened to local Councillors and residents about the need for the gates to be closed to prevent irresponsible driving and parking in this area."
Councillor Sharon Ball (Liberal Democrat, Westmoreland) added, "Local residents are hopping mad about this accident. Thanks to the Council leaving this land open as a free-for-all parking area, pedestrians and road users are being put at risk by dangerous driving. Surely it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured."
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