A Leicester community has demanded action over abusive drivers and inconsiderate parking in their quiet neighbourhood.
Residents living next to the Beaumont Park Football Club claim parents attending their children’s games have been using their streets as a parking lot in recent years.
They say the issue is worse around Maplewell Drive, Bennion Road and Pinewood Close, where drivers park on double yellow lines, dropped curbs and even block residents in their driveways.
Cars parked in the area during a football game(Image: Beaumont Leys Councillors)
Peter Sharma, who lives on Maplewell Drive, said: “From a quiet neighbourhood, this has become a horrible place.
“These drivers don’t seem to have any sense. They drop litter everywhere, block us in our driveways and create dangerous situations by obstructing corners.
“My neighbour Graham, he couldn’t take it anymore. He left the area because the issues were that bad. He was getting blocked into his home all the time, so he sold his house and left.”
Beaumont Park Football Club, is currently leased and run by De Montfort University, which, according to Mr Sharma, previously assured residents there would be no parking issues when football games are on.
The ground is leased by De Montfort University(Image: Leicester Mercury)
Residents claim they have also been abused for confronting drivers who create safety hazards by dodgy parking.
Another resident, Michael Mold, said: “When they double park on the bends, it means nobody can see around the corners.
“You then have people walking on the road as the pavement is blocked, so at this rate someone is going to end up in the hospital.
“There are people with disabilities in the area, they need to use the pavements but they can’t when there is a football game on as all the pavements become blocked by senseless drivers.
“There have even been instances when drivers are asked to move, and residents get verbally abused. It is disgusting. Some even receive physical threats by some of the drivers.”
The 73-year-old added: “We have these big meetings but nothing is happening at all. Enough is enough, it has got to stop because when the football season is on.”
Kenneth Blair fears that inconsiderate parking will prevent emergency service vehicles from getting through.
The 73-year-old said: “Many residents here are getting very frustrated. If the cars were to park sensibly, then we wouldn’t say anything about them, but they are creating havoc.”
New double yellow lines were painted by Leicester City Council on Astill Lodge Road, which is adjacent to Maplewell Drive.
But no lines were painted in the estate, causing an influx of drivers switching from Astill Lodge Road to park in Maplewell Drive.
Mr Blair said: “The most recent action taken against the parking issues was the double yellow lines on Astill Lodge Road but this made the issues worse as all the drivers now come into our little estate to park. The lines should have carried on into our area too.”
Residents believe more yellow lines could help the situation(Image: Leicester Mercury)
In response to the issues, a city council spokesman said: “We are aware of the issues around Bennion Road and have regular enforcement patrols in the area.
“We have also put in place more double yellow lines so that we have a legal basis for taking action for inconsiderate parking and have held meetings with DMU to discuss the management of visitor parking.
“Parking is available for people visiting the ground, but they are choosing not to use it.
“So far this year, enforcement officers have visited the area 121 times, and issued 12 penalty charges. Most recently they attended on Saturday, May 23, when four penalty charges were issued.
“The relatively low number of penalty charges reflects the fact that some of the parking on Bennion Road is dangerous and inconsiderate, but not illegal. We are currently assessing whether additional restrictions need to be put in place there.”
A spokesperson for De Montfort University confirmed it is working to address the issues alongside the city council.
They said: “DMU leases Beaumont Park from Leicester City Council and is aware of ongoing parking concerns around the site.
“Additional parking is provided off-site to help manage demand, and DMU and the clubs provide clear guidance on where to park.
“We are working closely with the Council, police, road enforcement teams and local partners to encourage considerate parking and improve the situation through practical measures.
“We fully recognise the impact parking has on local residents and remain committed to working with partners and clubs to support longer-term improvements.”