Reading resident frustration over illegal and poor parking

Jack Ewins lives in Shilling Close, Tilehurst, which is used regularly by drivers as a convenient place to park for Prospect Park Hospital, or as a drop off and pick up spot for King’s Academy Prospect school in Cockney Hill.

Mr Ewins has regularly spotted cars often being parked either on double yellow lines or obstructively on the pavement and grass verges.

He is now calling for Reading Borough Council to act to resolve the issue.

Mr Ewins said: “Residents of Shilling Close  and Chimney Court  have for some time had to put up with obstructive and illegal parking in the area.

“Most of the illegal and obstructive parking is perpetrated by staff and visitors to Prospect Hospital, some people waiting to pick up children from the School in Honey End Lane and also delivery drivers, who park on double yellow lines.”

Illegal and obstructive parking in Shilling Close, Reading. Credit: Jack Ewins

He has also complained about littering in the area.

Mr Ewins said: “The Honey End Lane up to Shilling Close  is not swept and has historic cigarette ends deposited on  the pavement and gutters, plus other items of litter.

“The only success me and neighbours have had is the fitting of two new bins, which took more than a year to be installed.

“Also the road has a large amount of leaves which also can hide yellow lines and the yellow lines have almost disappeared from wear and tear.

“Nothing has been done to regularly tidy the area , patrol the area  or the use of the Borough CCTV enforcement vehicle.”

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Mr Ewins praised councillor Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) for looking into the issues, and has called for the council to acknowledge the issue.

Addressing his concerns, a spokesperson for Reading Borough Council said: “We are aware of parking concerns in Honey End Lane and Shilling Close and continue to monitor the situation.

“Our enforcement team have visited the location on several occasions recently but no infringements found on those days, which means no penalty charge notices were issued.

“We will continue to regularly visit the location.

Illegal and obstructive parking in Shilling Close, Reading. Credit: Jack Ewins

“It should be noted the Council is only able to enforce parking on the highway where there is a Traffic Regulation Order in place, for example double yellow lines.  We are unable to enforce parking on the pavement where there are no restrictions on parking in place, or on the grass in this location as this does not form part of the highway.

“These infringements can only be enforced by the police, not the council.

“ Blue Badge holders are permitted to park on yellow lines for up to three hours.

“There has additionally been a request for yellow lines in Shilling Close.

“This request is being investigated as part of a Borough-wide Waiting Restriction Review Programme that was first reported to Traffic Management Sub-Committee earlier this month.

“The recommendations arising from the investigation will be reported further, with any agreed proposals requiring public consultation before they could potentially be implemented.”