Councillor calls for car park height restriction

You are viewing content from Sunshine Radio Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Tuesday, 16 October 2018 15:32

By Carmelo Garcia - Local Democracy Reporter

Hereford councillor Chris Chappell is calling on Herefordshire Council to introduce vehicle height restrictions at its car parks after travellers occupied a city site over the weekend.

More than a dozen caravans started arriving at St Martin’s Street car park late on Friday evening and caravans occupied Merton Meadow overflow car park on Monday.

It is the second time in recent months that travellers have occupied the Southside site and coun Chappell wants the county council to prevent this occurring again.

Coun Chappell, who represents the Hinton and Hunderton ward at city and county level, said: “Travellers have once again encamped illegally at the St Martin’s Street car park. Many more than a few weeks ago.

“I have asked the council to erect height restrictions at this car park and at the Wye Street but so far it has been refused.

“I know there are height restrictions at the Holmer Road leisure centre car park and at Ross.”

Coun Chappell said the restriction would not prevent school’s from accessing the sites with buses because they could be supplied with a key which would allow them to lift the height restriction.

“Nothing is impossible. But we really need to do something about this.

“There are at least 30 spaces occupied because these caravans are parked side on and with every passing day that is a loss to the taxpayer.

“There may be an additional cleaning cost as well.”

He also said residents are often subjected to abuse or harassment as was witnessed when they parked in the Wye Street car park last year and more recently at St. Martin’s car park a few weeks ago.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said they were aware of an unauthorised encampment at St Martins and Merton Meadow overflow car park.

She said: “Officers from the council are in dialogue with the group and following a welfare check will carry out its function in accordance with their delegated powers.

“It is recognised that this encampment is in a location which is used by members of the public; with this in mind the council are acting appropriately to reach a resolution as quickly as possible.”

“Following a welfare check yesterday, no issues were identified and a Section 77 notice was issued requiring the unauthorised encampment to be removed by 4pm today.”

The spokesperson explained that a height restriction barrier could only be installed at a car park which prohibits large vehicles.

“St Martin’s overflow car park allows parking for coaches, which is used on a regular basis, meaning a height restriction barrier would not be appropriate,” she said.

“The council has found that height restriction barriers do not fully prevent unauthorised encampments and may only displace an unauthorised encampment onto non-council land.”

More from Local News

Today's Weather

  • Hereford

    Medium-level cloud

    High: 13°C | Low: 5°C

  • Abergavenny

    Medium-level cloud

    High: 13°C | Low: 6°C

  • Monmouth

    Medium-level cloud

    High: 13°C | Low: 6°C

Like Us On Facebook