Street parking sparks anger

Painted spaces turn street into one-lane road, say residents

Some Greytown residents are increasingly annoyed that Jellicoe St appears to have turned into a one-lane street.

Parking spaces were painted on both sides of the street several weeks ago, leading to complaints that it is now too narrow when cars are parked opposite each other.

Resident Les Pope said he became concerned when he saw the road being marked out.

He rang the South Wairarapa District Council that same day. By the following day, the parking lines had already been painted in.

"The road is too narrow, cars have to pull over," he said.

"I've rung three or four times, it's just so ridiculous."

Mr Pope said one woman who had parked on one side lost her wing mirror because another car drove too close.

He says that, when there are oversize vehicles such as campervans, there is barely any room.

The school bus had also had to change its route, he said.

He said the parking spaces could have been painted on the street opposite, so people were encouraged to park there instead.

"Across the road is Kuratawhiti St, which is much wider, and there are no parking lines there at all."

Paul Lyster, who drives down the street regularly to get to his home on East St, said it was a tight squeeze.

He was driving into the street from the main road when another car was coming out.

"I came around with a trailer and there were cars parked on both sides. As I came in, another car came out. She had to back up.

"You could have an accident," Mr Lyster said.

"They could keep the parking on the creche side but take the other lines out.

"It's too narrow for a two-way street."

Mr Lyster has used the street for 20 years and said it was a bit of a pain to to take another route.

He said not many people had parked there before the lines were put in.

It would make life easier if they were gone, he said.

The council says parking has always been allowed on the street.

"The lines were painted in after numerous requests from residents," said Mark Allingham, group manager infrastructure services.

He said residents wanted more orderly parking as, without the lines, some cars where parking close or over driveways or leaving gaps, preventing the space being used by other cars.

"We would have to paint no parking lines to prevent parking."

He said he was happy to talk to Mr Pope about the issue.