Double parking on Kings Road

2jamie · Post by **2jamie** » 29 Dec 2006, 12:30

Hi all,

I've been steaming about this for a while, but wanted to guage opinions here.

Basically it is now the convention of a minority of car owners on Kings Road to perpetually park their vehicles adjacent to the communal bins as an "acceptable" car parking spot. This annoys me for three reasons.

1) It is impossible to temporarily double park for deliveries and unloading (note this has a knock on effect of delivery vans parking on the top corner of Kings Road which is very dangerous for people coming off the roundabout).

2) Prevents or hinders access for emergency vehicles.

3) Prevents regulation litter collection, and also we get a infurating (but understandable) chorus of horns from the bin men on a weekly basis.

Of the three 3) is the most objectable but because of the status of the offence 2) is the most likely to see action.

I have pressed Laurence Marshall on this matter over the last few months but he does not wish to act unless 2) is firmly established.

I write now as of this week the fire brigade came round for a routine inspection and observed that the vehicles caused them "difficulty" of access. They also put an obstructive parking notice on one car. I also understand that the owner concerned was verbally warned by a police officer as the car prevented an overflowing bin being emtpied.

My query is this. I now wish to press Laurence Marshall further on this issue given this weeks events. To what extent to people here (preferably Kings Roaders) think this is an issue, and would they support my case?

Best wishes,

2jamie

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 29 Dec 2006, 13:20

2jamie, I sympathise. The problem with Kings Road, as with other streets in Portobello, is that there simply is not enough on-street parking for the number of car-owning individuals living there. There is not a lot anyone can do about that, other than discourage multi-car ownership. At least we have free on-street parking, which is more than many Edinburgh residents enjoy.

However, this does not excuse illegal parking. In Rosefield, residents successfully applied for parking restrictions. Double yellow lines now prevent discourage people from parking on corners and 'keep clear' sections. The bottom line is that no-one has a right to park in the street where they live and if there is no space left then owners simply need to find another street to park in.

I'll get back to you when I have time to give this more thought, but good luck meantime.

2jamie · Post by **2jamie** » 29 Dec 2006, 13:31

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the sympathy! I would note that the issue on Kings Road is not the quantity unlike the other roads in Portobello; there is always space at the bottom of the road. This is a question of idleness and possibly paranoia...

Cheers

Jamie

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 29 Dec 2006, 20:37

My mum lived in Kings Road ( briefly) about a dozen years ago and I remember the same problems even then. Coming off the roundabout was hazardous and I remember being boxed in more than once.
Sometimes I think the only solution is to moan to councillors then they can put pressure on the police to issue fines or parking attendants to patrol the area.
The same situation often happens outside schools were some selfish people will always think they have a right to park outside the gates regardless of nuisance, danger , inconvenience or what the head teacher/ school newsletter says. Used to happen outside St Johns when the Clangers were there and still does. Rant rant.

Sorry. When I use the car and have to park miles away I may grumble but will still park legally, so why cant other folk?

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 30 Dec 2006, 15:10

When I lived in Gorgie cars were always double parked. Most of the time it was ok but sometimes people couldn't get out of their car parking space and early morning slumbers were rudely awoken by shouting, car horns etc. Think its a problem which won't go away, there are just too many cars out there, more people need to car share - when I wait for the bus in the morning 9.5 times out of 10 there is only the driver in the car, with no passengers.

Messalina · Post by **Messalina** » 30 Dec 2006, 18:22

I have to confess my boyfreind is one of those illegal parkers. Or WAS! I told him not to park on Kings Road again ... or he will be dumped, I can assure you!

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 30 Dec 2006, 20:38

Where will you dump him, will it be in the sea with his car

Messalina · Post by **Messalina** » 30 Dec 2006, 21:05

Oh, I have several ideas on that score! He'd better buck up his ideas after the scabby Christmas present I got or he'll be dropped quicker than a plate of scalding boiled asparagus.

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 31 Dec 2006, 16:45

Those litter bins were a huge own goal by the council to be honest. They are hidious, they take up valuable parking spaces, they are proune to be set on fire by neds, and it creates the problem of double parking.