BURGATE FIELDS residents are calling for action to address parking problems.

The Burgate Fields Residents Company gave a presentation to Fordingbridge Town Council about the problems faced by residents.

The group called for a restricted parking zone to be implemented.

Burgate Fields Resident Company, which represents a number of residents in the cul-de-sac, say there have been parking problems on the small estate since1996.

The spine road in Burgate Fields is narrow with a blind corner and residents are obliged to observe a covenant not to park their cars in the road.

The meeting heard that the problem has been getting steadily worse over the years as the Burgate School has grown.

The road is not only used for parking by students at Burgate School but also parents taking children to neighbouring schools.

Problems include drives and pathways being blocked and parked cars making it difficult for passing cars as well as affecting visibility for vehicles entering and leaving the cul-de-sac.

There has been damage to lampposts, property walls and also grass verges on the roadside.

Concerns were raised over emergency vehicle access and safety on the road.

The meeting also heard some residents have got so fed up with the problem they have moved.

Captain Tim Norman-Walker, the director of The Burgate Fields Residents Company, speaking after the meeting said: “We can’t manage in a narrow cul-de-sac like this with the volume of traffic in the morning and evening.

“What we want is parking restrictions as soon as possible so that the problem is recognised by the various councils.”

He said: “What we will do is keep an eye on it and take it as far as we necessarily have to to try and speed up the restricted parking area within our estate. At the same time what are the councils going to do about helping the school?”

Burgate School and Sixth Form Centre is looking to address parking problems and has drawn up a masterplan for the future.

The school’s deputy headteacher Robert Padford spoke about future plans for the school, which he explained would be dependent on money.

One of the specific areas identified in the plan is to increase parking on the school site.

Mr Padford said: “We would like to voice our support of the Burgate Field residents to try and come up with a creative and positive solution for the whole community in this area.”

He added: “We will be looking at creative use for parking and making use of open spaces.”

The master plan identifies a number of possible ideas for the school site, including linking some of the buildings together to create more classroom and creative space for school users.

The school will be looking at putting in funding bids in the future.

Fordingbridge mayor, Cllr Malcolm Connolly, added: “We want as much for the future of young adults as we can. Parking is a priority. If we can give any help we will.”