Not as simple as applying some paint

Tom Swain (Postbag, last week) is not alone in noticing the difficulties with parking on Willes Road. I and other councillors have been pressing the highways department for some time to address the problem, most recently at the area transport seminar in January. Unfortunately, the solution is not quite as simple as just “applying a bit of paint” - I wish it was.

Reducing the capacity here would displace cars into other nearby streets which are already heavily used for commuter and amenity parking, adding to the difficulties for local residents.

Altering parking restrictions also (unfortunately) requires a rather lengthy legal process with associated costs. Finally, to meet savings targets there has been a significant reduction in staffing in highways, as in other county council departments, resulting in tighter priorities and longer lead times for many jobs.

All this is by way of explanation not excuse and I assure your readers that I shall continue to impress on council officers the urgent need for a solution to this problem. - Tim Naylor, county councillor, Willes ward.