Parking hinders garage (From Stroud News and Journal)

Parking hinders garage

A GARAGE mechanic says his business is being hampered by illegal parkers - despite the fact he works across the street from Stroud police station.

Robin Deane, 59, says he has made more than 70 visits to the station this year to complain about motorists blocking the entrance to his Nelson Street garage Robin's Motors.

"Every day we get cars parking illegally up here," he said. "I need to be able to go in and out of Farrs Lane to run my business but a lot of the time I cannot get out.

"We extended the Keep Clear zone in Nelson Street earlier this year - all it means is that two cars can park there instead of one.

"These people are parking there because it is quite close to the top of the High Street and they do not have to pay.

"The police have done nothing. They drive out of the station and just go right past. When I go in they say there is no-one to deal with it."

He claims to have seen Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) walking passed three illegally parked cars in Nelson Street - which is also covered by police CCTV cameras.

Any patrol car driving downhill from the station can also see up the street. Matt Ford, spokesman for Stroud police, said: "We have received a number of complaints from Mr Deane on the subject of parking on Nelson Street.

"Parking offences will be prioritised according to other demands placed upon constabulary staff and as such the responses will vary.

"At the last recorded incident reported by Mr Deane staff attended that location and parking tickets were issued."