WOULD YOU LIKE IT...

Last updated : 06 October 2002 By Editor

Trafford Council get ready to charge local resis. (From The MEN)

Residents living near Old Trafford football ground are seeing red over moves
to charge them for parking outside their own homes.

The council wants to ease congestion during Manchester United home games by
introducing an annual £25 permit for householders, plus mini-permits for any
visitors. Anyone parking without a permit will face a fine.

The plan has provoked fury from people living on Ryebank Road, Firswood, and
neighbouring roads which will be affected.

They say it makes no sense to charge a visiting friend, relative,
electrician or plumber even when it's out of season and congestion isn't an
issue. One resident, Susan Jones, who has a 450-name petition against the
plan, said: "We are used to the problems caused by Manchester United home
games but can't see why we should pay for parking in our own streets or be
told how long our guests can stay.

"With this scheme, every house would have to get a permit and two cars would
be listed on it. If someone visits in another car, you pay £5 for a book of
20 vouchers to put, one at a time, in their windscreen. If they stay longer
than four hours, you put in another voucher or risk them getting a £30 fine.

"This means, plumbers, friends or family will need a voucher for every car
they arrive in. It will cost more for people who have children living
separately across the city who may all visit at the same time on a special
occasion.

"They are saying that my visitors can only stop for a few hours, unless I
supply them with more vouchers, or risk being fined for coming to see me."

The plans are still in the consultation stage and residents are gathering a
petition to make their opinions known and stop the permits being introduced.

Local Labour councillor Margaret Barker said: "It is not our intention to do
anything without people saying `yes'. We are told the permits cost £25 and
it is purely if the residents want it. We are open to what people say and if
they hate it we will negotiate. We can't negotiate the cost or fines, but
they do have the option of saying no."