Residents go parking mad over dropped kerb demand

By Sharon Harris Glamorgan Star Reporter

HOMEOWNERS staged a roadside protest in the Colcot area of Barry, after the Vale council wrote to them demanding they pay to access their driveways (5th July).

Residents in Hinchliffe Avenue parked vehicles on the street outside their homes after receiving a letter, dated 30th June, informing them that it had been recently noted that they were illegally crossing the pavement “without the benefit of an appropriately constructed vehicular crossing agreement or dropped kerb.”

The letter provided two options – pay contactors to drop the kerb and allow driveway access or park outside on the road.

“The council appreciates that paying to drop the kerb may not be something you wish to do,” the letter stated.

Residents wanting to remain using their driveways but don’t wish to pay, fear vehicles using the roads, such as emergency services, would then be obstructed or damaged.  

The Vale council said private homeowners throughout the Vale would receive letters if similar issues were noted.

Hinchcliffe Avenue resident, Lee Dobbinson said: “We received a letter from the council, along with many other residents in the area – selected residents I might add – basically telling us that the driveways that we’ve all been using to date we’re no longer able to and we need to pay in excess of £1000 which includes and admin fee from the council to be able to have our kerbs dropped and basically to have permission to continue using our driveways which we’ve used ever since day one.

“We’ve come together as a community.

“I think the houses are ‘50s/60s.

“These driveways have been in use since then and all of a sudden there’s an issue.

“The infrastructure here means it’s impossible to park kerbside.

“The letter basically says ‘pay up’ or park kerbside.

“What we’ve done this morning (Monday 5^th July) is park exactly that because there’s a lot of people who can’t afford £1000 plus to have the privilege of continuing to park on their own driveway.

“We’ve had chaos with vehicles trying to get through the street.

“On a serious note, emergency vehicles – God forbid there’s a fire engine.

“The reality is this would be what it’s like moving forward if people park kerbside – these roads would be inaccessible for emergency services and traffic in general.”

The dad-of-two added: “I think it’s disgusting the way the council has gone about it.

“It seems to be homeowners who have been sent letters and there’s no proposal for anything.

“It’s basically an absurd cost and two options – comply and go through the process of paying for this or park kerbside.

“We just feel really annoyed.

“We are in testing times – we are still in the middle of a pandemic.

“There are people who have lost their jobs, been furloughed, their businesses have gone, financial hardships, emotional hardships and then there’s a letter from the council demanding money.

“There’s only so much people can take – enough is enough.

“When it comes to a point where they want to get money off people, we get a letter.”             

Colcot Residents Friends & Neighbours group administrator, Sian Thomas, of Winston Road, added: “I think it’s appalling at this time.

“We haven’t had any investment at The Colcot for years.

“We are the forgotten part of the estate.

“It’s a 1950s structure here.

“We haven’t got anything here to park anywhere else.”

Dyfan ward councillor, Vince Bailey said: “There’s been no proper assessment of the impact that this will have on access for emergency vehicles, trades people, and refuse collections, if cars are forced to park on the streets rather than use their drives.

“It’s a shambles and we want to see this cash grab put on hold so that the impact can be soberly discussed.”

A Vale council spokesman said: “Scheduled highway inspections have identified instances where people have been driving onto the kerb and over pavements to access their driveways.

“In such cases, letters have been sent to residents advising them of the issue.

“Under the Highways Act, such a practice is not allowed unless a properly-constructed dropped kerb which can support vehicles has been installed. If this is not in place, pavements can sustain damage and require repairs.

“The council has asked properties that do not have properly constructed vehicular access to their driveways to pay for the necessary adaptation work.

“Anyone having difficulty finding the funds should contact the council to discuss the matter.”