Parking bays 'too narrow' after road marking error

BBC A parked black car can be seen with its tyre over the edge of the white parking bay lines on the road. BBC
A mistake has left parking bays in Pasture Road, Goole, too narrow for vehicles

Business owners on a main shopping street in Goole have branded new parking bays "a joke" after they were painted "too narrow".

The spaces on Pasture Road have been painted 5.5ft (1.7m) wide, despite East Riding of Yorkshire Council requesting a width of 6.5ft (2m).

The council, which spent £265,000 on resurfacing and repainting, said work to fix the problem would be carried out on 27 November.

Several traders said the bays had affected their businesses and expressed concern that work to correct the error could affect the Christmas shopping period.

The council said it had investigated the size of the spaces and found they fell "slightly short of the guide width".

"Drivers can park as normal and no parking fines will be issued in the meantime," a statement added.

A man stands among racks of clothes in his store. He is tall with quiffed hair and wears a gold gillet, checked shirt and black snood.
Business owner Russ Jackson has described the situation as a "bit of a joke"

Russ Jackson, the owner of Creation Clothing, described the situation as a "massive fail".

"It’s a joke really. Somebody’s come out with the measurements that they needed and they’ve fallen short," he said.

"I wouldn’t think closing the road again, especially when we’re coming up to Christmas, is good for any business down here."

Natalie Harman, who owns beauty salon Spoilt Rotten, said running a business in the town was "already hard".

"It’s been tricky because our customers have been struggling to get in for their appointments. It means we are then running behind in the salon," she added.

A man with short brown hair and a short beard, and wearing a grey suit and blue striped tie, smiles at the camera as he stands in Pasture Road, Goole, in front of a shop.
Councillor Nick Coultish has said he recognises the concerns of residents

Nick Coultish, the councillor for Goole North, said he recognised "residents' frustration" and the council had told him "the contractor made an error".

"Just park in the normal way that you would, sensibly and respectfully," he added.

The council confirmed that the remedial work would be carried out under a road closure.

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