St Matthew's estate residents call for parking action

Illegal and inconsiderate parking has led residents of a Leicester housing estate to demand action.

People in the St Matthew's area said cars left by drivers avoiding city centre parking charges made their streets inaccessible and dangerous.

Services such as bin lorries and fire engines have struggled to get past, they added.

The city council said it would look at calls for a residents' parking scheme and would put proposals forward soon.

Parking pressure

St Matthew's estate Tenants' and Residents' Association said motorists ignored yellow lines, blocked pavements and the roads did not clear until late in the evening.

Jean Williams, the association's chairwoman, added: "The bin men have not been able to get down one road to empty the bins - so we had bollards put in down one side but cars still park in the far corner, which is very difficult.

"We had a fire about two months ago and we couldn't move the cars in the way because they didn't belong to anyone living here and the fire engine had to stop and fight the fire as best it could from where it was."

Councillor Abdul Osman said: "I hear loud and clear these problems. We have pressures on the outer areas of the city in terms of of residents' parking.

"We are introducing a scheme in South Highfields and if St Matthew's is calling for it I am more than happy to look at it."

Mr Osman said he hoped the issue would go before the council within six months.