Meeting to discuss parking problems in Fordingbridge

The matter will be discussed during a meeting of Fordingbridge Town Council on Wednesday at the Victoria Rooms, Bridge Street, 7.30pm.

Council chairman Paul Anstey said: “Members of the public are most welcome to attend the forthcoming general council meeting. The council will discuss as an agenda point, the parking problems and particularly Salisbury Street. Members of the public will be given an opportunity to raise issues.”

This comes after a petition was launched by resident Mike Harley calling for action to make Salisbury Street safer. The online petition, Make Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge Safe, is calling for 24 hour parking restrictions and provision of a space for deliveries. Mr Harley has said he hopes the petition will help the town council lobby New Forest District for more to be done.

Mr Harley said: “I have been so impressed by the support this issue has received; nearly 400 people have signed the petition and many have spoken to me in town. They now want to see the New Forest District Council act on what the public have asked for, not tell us what we will get.”

He previously told the Journal the situation is a “dreadful danger” and at times there can be a dozen cars parked along the road, which means drivers have got to get out into the road to pass them, people parking on the zigzag.

He said: “Sadly, most evenings and overnight the road has vehicles parked, often on both sides creating a difficult chicane. Increasingly, parking violations are occurring in the day time as well. It is particularly dangerous for vehicles travelling south, who regularly have to overtake a long line of parked vehicles, whist unable to see approaching traffic from the roundabout. It is often difficult for the X3 services to get through and might present a real danger if the fire service were delayed on a callout.”