Iain,

Thanks for circulating this item.

For your update, on Saturday, 20th February, 2010, following two specific complaints, Constable Rob Shakespeare, Section response oficer (not Neighbourhood Team) issued obstruction tickets on offending vehicles double parked and on the footway opposite 16 – 22 Coniston Road. To his credit and having fully briefed him, the officer has clearly pursued the ongoing issue which has led to the neighbourhood Police Team writing to residents on Coniston Road and advising re compliance with parking regulations. I was out of the UK last Saturday so cannot comment on what happened.

However, police action only resulted from neighbour complaining re inconsiderate parking and not from any proactive response by the Neighbourhood Policing Team or Stockport’s LA CTOs. Since making our written response in Sept 2009, I am not aware of any enforcement presence being given to the parking problem. Thus, it gives resident no pleasure to see fixed penalty tickets issued as a one-off response to complaints we have to make each Saturday morning.

On the 20.2.10. offending drivers were attending the synagogue. These drivers were oblivious or simply blatently ignored parking regulations albeit, I trust these drivers have a full driving licences and are aware of the law.

Our need in the short-term is for 1) Stockport’s Civil Enforcements Officers in consultation with the Neighbourhood Policing Team to patrol Coniston Road particularly, on Saturday mornings from 9am – 1pm and when major events are known to be taking place at the synagogue. 2)The synagogue need to take responsibility for monitoring and responding to concerns from local residents. If the synagogue will not open their car park, then at least they should employ their representatives (who simply stand at the gates)to patrol Coniston Road between 16 – 22 Coniston Road, and advise their visitors not to park illegally on Coniston Road and side streets. 3) The LA prioritise extended parking restrictions on the south side of Coniston Road as proposed by residents in our joint letter sent to Graham Price in Sept last year. For me, my home is not Gatley Police Station and like you we both need to ensure the appropriate bodies get to grips with this matter. Leafleting residents on Coniston Road will not solve the problem caused by inconsiderate drivers from outer areas.

Your continued support and updates are much appreciated.

The issue of parking on Coniston Road is one that many residents have shared for sometime. However, it appears that this is a hot potato that nobody wants to take ownership of. Last Saturday, 22nd March, the police were on the estate from early morning enforcing parking restrictions near the Synagogue which I wholly accept and support. However, one of those victimised motorists was an invited member of my family who parked on Coniston Road adjacent to my property. This is something has has happened for years causing absolutely no obstruction. The police advised that there was a breach of waiting restrictions and pointed to the street signs. I had not noticed that the street sign had been replaced. I called the Council where they “researched” and these are the findings. The street signs on Coniston Road leading up to the Junction of Kingsway are ILLEGAL. According to the Council, they were replaced by “unknown” persons as long ago as October 2009!!! The council does not appear to have any record on who was responsible. There is no legal order for the current streets signs, therefore making them UNENFORCEABLE. I am sure the police will be delighted to know they are having their time wasted by being called out to enforce illegal street signs. One of the illegal street signs is on lamp post no 2 (next to the post box). This sign has ALWAYS said NO PARKING SATURDAY 8.30qam – 1.00pm. This was illegally changed in October, to read NO PARKING MON-SAT 08.30am – 11.30pm . This stretch of Coniston Road would ease congestion for the rest of the street. However, someone has seen fit to have the legal signs replaced by illegal ones. I have been advised by the council over 7 days ago that these signs will revert back to their original state.

I will of course be contacting the NPTs to advise of the current situation.

Many residents have witnessed the employees from the Synagogue not only parading themselves at the gates but also policing the street with their own personal supply of street cones on Saturday mornings. In their defence however, they may not be aware that Under Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 it is an offence to “wilfully” obstruct the highway. This act is wilful and perhaps it should be brought to their attention by advising the police next time this occurs. Naturally, I will also be advising the Police about the ilegal street signs until they are removed and replaced according to the legal order.

It is interesting to note that today, 27th March there was no religious service at the Synagogue. The estate was deserted with no obstructions, no illegal parking no excess vehicles. Just a serene and unobstructed neighbourhood.

I suspect this communication may not make it to publication.

Regards

C George