News from Plymouth Labour

Plymouth Council’s new parking places cost £68,000 each

The Labour Group on Plymouth City Council is calling for urgent action on the city’s West End new parking scheme before “someone is killed”.

The scheme, which was only completed a few weeks ago, has attracted much criticism from drivers and pedestrians alike. Drivers are unsure of who has priority as in places the road is one car wide. Pedestrians have experienced falls as the new cobbled paving is uneven and has led to a number of falls. Recent icy weather has exacerbated the problem.

Labour Group Leader Cllr Tudor Evans said: “Labour opposed this scheme at the time on safety and cost grounds. We warned the Tories that this scheme would lead to this. It really is an awful scheme, which has created the most expensive parking spaces in the country at over £68,000 each.

“Four years ago Labour set up a fund to repair pavements to avoid the council being sued for falls. The Council will now face an unprecedented number of claims. As they say on TV: where there’s blame there’s a claim. We are blaming the Conservatives.

“The Conservatives’ scheme isn’t an accident waiting to happen, the accidents are already piling up.”

Councillor Sue McDonald, whose ward covers the City Centre said: “Urgent remedial action is required by the city council in its role as the highways authority to rectify the multi-million pound trip hazard as a result of unevenly raised cobbles by the market.

“Babies in buggies, women in heels, the elderly, wheelchair users, blind and partially sighted people are at a mightily increased risk of injury for which the council could be sued. I don’t know why a more even surface couldn’t have been used rather than attempting a pastiche that fails to enhance the area in any way.”

Other news from Plymouth Labour

• Activists restart Plymstock Party as Labour targets local elections - 12 December 2011
• Plymouth politicians launch petition to keep adventure activities safety law - 6 December 2011
• "Keep Moor View in Plymouth" boundary campaign launched - 7 November 2011