'Parking outside our homes is absolute nightmare'

Residents have spoken of their "immense frustration" over the number of drivers now parking outside their homes in order to avoid paying new car parking charges.

People living in Hadleigh, Suffolk, told the BBC the issue had stemmed from the introduction of fees in car parks that were previously free.

Babergh District Council, which said the charges were lower than those of neighbouring authorities, voted in favour of scrapping free parking to help offset a £6.7m budget gap predicted over the next four years.

But residents described the knock-on effect as an "absolute nightmare" and said they could rarely find a space outside their own homes.

"During the day it is a bit of a free-for-all and it creates issues for us residents", said bus driver Dawn Carter, who lives on Queen Street.

"Workers are using the roads because they don't have anywhere to park and Church Street is frequently in a meltdown and it is a massive problem.

"We are having to drive here, there, and everywhere just to find somewhere to leave our cars overnight. It's an absolute nightmare."

The charges, which were introduced in the town's five car parks in January, require drivers to pay £1 for the first hour in a short stay or £1 for two hours in a long-stay.

There are exemptions for blue badge holders, leisure centre users and those going to Hadleigh Health Centre.

Babergh District Council said it "shared residents' frustrations" about people choosing to park "inconsiderately" instead of in the car parks.

David Burrows, 61, who lives in Queen Street, said it was becoming "ever more regular" for residents to have to use the paid spaces when they could not park outside their own homes.

And he said there was high demand for free spaces if he did manage to find one: "We can be out of here at 04:00 or 05:00 and it's almost as if there's people just waiting to get straight into your space.

"It's an immense frustration."

Brian Hadaway, 63, of George Street, said he and his neighbours were "now having to pay, otherwise we cannot park safely".

"We pay our road tax to use the roads and now we can't park outside our own homes, but we should be able to without visitors taking up 'our' parking spaces," he added.

Mr Hadaway said he believed residential parking permits – which Suffolk County Council would have to make a decision on - could be the answer.

"Ideally, we would like it all for free but if we have to pay a £1 a week... then I don't mind paying a bit extra," he said.

Some residents, however, felt the introduction of the car park charges had proved useful.

Maggie Miller, 78, said: "We are just a little market town but it has gotten a bit crazy, but I think it is the same the whole country over.

"What you do notice is that, before, the car parks were packed and you were driving around looking for a space but now I know I am going to find a space."

Babergh District Council said it had been "clear throughout" that it "had no option but to introduce charges" and could not afford to continue to subsidise free parking.

"We listened to concerns, keeping the charges as low as possible, as well as introducing a range of exemptions to further reduce their impact," a spokesperson added.

"We... trust that anyone breaking the law will be penalised," they added.

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said: "An application will need to prove that funding is available, that the scheme is financially viable and can be effectively managed and enforced, and third party funds would be needed for an initial investigation/consultation into the proposals before looking at any detailed design."

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