Residents at a Broadstairs apartment complex are breathing a sigh of relief following the installation of new double yellow lines that will transform their daily lives.
For years, some of the elderly residents of Seaview Court in West Cliff Road, struggled to navigate parked cars directly outside the entrance to their apartments. This often forced those with limited mobility or visual impairments to weave between parked cars just to cross the road
In the summer season ,a surge in visitor numbers and obstructive parking shut off access to the front doors for many of the occupants.
The potential for delays to ambulance response times, due to being unable to park, also posed a threat to residents well being.
Resident Maureen Campling said: “Knowing a paramedic might not be able to reach you sooner during an emergency is terrifying.”
Although fully mobile herself fellow resident Tracy Golding decided to find a solution to enable her friends and neighbours to have peace of mind.
She said: “I visit many of the residents and collect prescriptions for them ,so was fully aware of the anxiety some were feeling.”
Tracy contacted Kent County Councillor for Broadstairs John Finch. After a period of consultation and planning with Kent Highways Cllr Finch successfully pushed for the installation of double yellow lines outside the property.
Resident Graham Selway said: “It has made a world of difference. We no longer have to gamble with our safety just to leave the building. It’s a weight of our minds.”
Cllr Finch said: “In my previous working life I had lots of elderly customers over many years and I know only too well the anxiety that is felt whilst experiencing being unwell, particularly when awaiting hospital appointments and expecting ambulances to arrive.
“This enhanced access removes critical logistical hurdles for emergency services directly improving safety.
“The clear road makes a significant victory for accessibility, proving that even small changes to traffic management can have a profound impact on the quality of life for the town’s vulnerable residents.”
I’ve tryed to get the same in my area, I have disabled old folk all up my street in assisted bungalows,everyone parks here,on the path,on the drop curb,council dint care,carers, ambulances need the space every day but council won’t double yellow line it.mind you even if they did probably be ignored,as are yellow hexes with keep clear ,people park in them .idiots!
I hope it has the desired effect, but suspect it won’t as fines don’t stop the affluent or blue badge holders from parking like idiots.
The only thing I suspect will solve the problem is towing.
The yellow lines are never enforced in Thanet. There are but a few officers to do the job for the whole of Thanet which is a lot bigger now. There needs to be a new approach to bad parking everywhere.