Hampshire County Council steps in to remove ‘unauthorised’ permit parking bays from Shingle Bank Drive in Milford

COUNCIL officers have stepped in after an attempt to turn part of a Milford street into private parking.

Residents of Shingle Bank Drive were shocked when a sub-contractor started hand-painting 14 bays on its upper stretch yesterday (Thursday), including a turning area.

Wooden signposts were then added to each, stating they were for permit holders only, with long-term leases available. The A&T rang the number provided, which went through to voicemail.

But local Hampshire county councillor Fran Carpenter told the A&T that officers had today removed the signs and would be restoring the affected stretch.

She confirmed it was an “adopted road” which fell under HCC’s management.

Furious Shingle Bank residents spoke out as the bay marking was carried out amid arguments over the road’s ownership.

There were particular concerns about carers and family and friends visiting those at retirement complex Homegrange.

Posters were put through doors of properties about a week earlier, advising “works to the footpath and partial works to the roadway” would start on 11th April for completion on 13th.

Marked ‘March & Co Highway Maintenance’, these said: “Strictly no parking or waiting along the pavement-side & turning point areas of Shingle Bank Drive during the aforementioned three-day period.”

It added access to properties and businesses would not be restricted, and the roadway would remain operational.

But, as some residents told the A&T, the poster did not state what kind of work would be carried out, leading them to believe it might be resurfacing.

Gill Steggell, one of the residents of Homegrange’s 36 apartments, said the permit parking bays would leave them isolated.

Calling the situation “ridiculous”, she pointed out there were housebound residents at the complex.

“Often we have people just coming in for a few minutes to check if we’re okay,” she explained.

“If you had fallen, they’d know, but they’re not going to know if they have to pay to park.

“My family come about two to three times a day to see if I’m alright. They only stay about 15 minutes some of the times.

“There is a car park round the back, but it’s not sufficient for everyone – not nearly.”

A Homegrange resident for 10 years, Mrs Steggell worked for a selling agent about 40 years ago and was involved in selling all the homes on Shingle Bank Drive.

She said the permit-controlled parking would have a “very big impact”, adding: “I just feel it’s unnecessary because we’ve never had a problem with parking.

“The only reason I can see at all is for getting the money.”

Two visiting carers also shared their anger while visiting clients at Homegrange yesterday.

One of them had to block in a resident’s vehicle as she struggled to park hers.

“It’s disgusting,” she fumed.

“I’ve got a 94-year-old lady sitting on a commode, who can’t walk, waiting to be seated in her chair, but I can’t get my car parked.”

The sub-contractor from Complete Property Solution Services would not give the name of his employer, but maintained they owned the stretch of road.

He told the A&T it had been “bought a couple of weeks ago”.

But this was disputed by residents, including Peter Hopkins, chair of Needles Point Management Company, which leases homes in the lower stretch of road.

“We believe that’s a council road that someone is trying to put private parking on.”

Today, Cllr Carpenter told the A&T: “Highways have confirmed to me that the upper part of Shingle Bank Drive is an adopted road and falls under Hampshire County Council’s management.

“It is a designated highway and, as such, the company involved cannot do what they wish with it.

“I am grateful to Cllr Nick Adams-King [executive member for highways[ and local highways officers, who acted promptly.

“Officers have now removed the wooden posts this morning and will make sure the upper part of the road is restored to how it was before.

“Thank you to the residents of Shingle Bank, too, for their patience over what has been an unusual and tricky matter.”