Chestnut Avenue is currently experiencing severe and sustained parking pressures that are having a significant negative impact on residents, visitors, and overall road safety.
The road regularly becomes fully gridlocked due to uncontrolled parking from non-residents, particularly during peak periods such as weekends and when football activities take place in the adjacent park. Vehicles are often parked on both sides of the road without consideration for access, resulting in restricted movement and obstruction.
There have been repeated incidents of vehicle damage due to congestion. Most recently, on Sunday, two separate incidents were witnessed where vehicles were struck as a direct result of the lack of space and visibility on the road.
Access to and from the road is frequently compromised. This includes restricted access to the nearby cemetery, where visitors have been unable to leave due to blocked roads, causing significant distress at an already sensitive time.
There are also serious and ongoing safety concerns. Children are regularly being dropped off in the area and are required to navigate between parked vehicles, often stepping directly into the path of moving traffic with limited visibility. A near-miss incident involving a child being almost struck by a vehicle has recently been witnessed. The current conditions present a clear and immediate risk of injury.
The situation has persisted for several years and continues to worsen, with no effective control measures in place.
To address these issues, residents are requesting the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) tailored to the layout and usage of the road. Specifically:
Resident permit parking to be implemented on the residential
side of Chestnut Avenue to prioritise access for residents
Controlled parking restrictions on the park side of the road to
prevent long-stay and non-resident parking associated with park and
football usage
This proposed solution is proportionate, targeted, and aligned with existing parking management approaches used across the borough. It would significantly reduce congestion, improve access, and address the current safety risks while maintaining appropriate access for park users.
Residents are seeking urgent action from the Council to review, consult, and implement these measures before a serious incident occurs.
On reaching 20 signatures it will be formally considered by the Council and relevant Cabinet Member. Local ward Councillors will also be made aware of the petition. The Council's Democratic Services Team will keep the lead petitioner updated on progress.
This ePetition runs from 14/04/2026 to 14/05/2026.
Nobody has yet signed this ePetition.