RESIDENTS have called for a parking clampdown to stop "inconsiderate" motorists cluttering up the streets of their market town.

Milnthorpe residents claim parking is becoming increasingly difficult due to shoppers and workers who pull up on residential streets forcing local householders to look elsewhere. Plans for a residents-only parking scheme have been mooted in a bid to tackle the problem.

At Cumbria County Council's Local Committee for South Lakeland, Coun Malcolm Alston called for a crackdown on parking hot spots' on behalf of residents.

He said Firs Road, Ryley Field Road and the entrance to a number of housing estates were the worst hit and added that moves to limit parking on the market square to two hours would have a knock-on effect on parking on residential roads.

"Locals believe their quality of life and access with be severely diminished. For a small working town like Milnthorpe this is so important. People should be pushed toward the car parks and not at the expense of residents," he said.

In a letter to South Lakeland District Council, Secretary of Milnthorpe Residents Association, Pat Barnes, said a door-to-door survey of some of the worst affected areas had seen unanimous support for residents' parking.

Resident Tony Liddle, who carried out the survey, said: "Some of the residents are, because of incon-siderate parking, unable to go in or out of their garages or car ports."

The committee decided to explore the possibility of introducing a parking scheme in the town.

February 7, 2003 10:31