HIGHWAYS chiefs are today hoping to provide more on-street parking in an area where residents dare not leave cars outside their homes for fear of getting a ticket.

HIGHWAYS chiefs are today hoping to provide more on-street parking in an area where residents dare not leave cars outside their homes for fear of getting a ticket.

A total of 179 households in streets just off Felixstowe seafront signed a petition presented to the county council calling for action to end the parking chaos which has plagued the resort's West End for more than 25 years.

Now the council says it will review the restrictions - and hopes to come up with a solution.

The authorities have traditionally turned a blind eye and residents have parked on the yellow lines, which ban parking on one side of the streets from 10am to 6pm from May 1 to September 30, without prosecution.

But anger over the problem resurfaced last summer after police - reacting to complaints - issued parking tickets.

Senior engineer Angela Rapley said a review of parking restrictions would take place in the town and would include the problems in Cavendish, Russell, Holland, Manning and Granville Roads.

“It is recognised that, where parking does not cause a hazard or congestion, it can be allowed and can, at times, be of benefit in reducing overall traffic speeds,” she said.

The roads in this area will be examined by council officers skilled in assessing parking arrangements, along with representatives of the police and fire service.

“This will indicate what restrictions are necessary at all times to ensure the safety of road users.

“I am hopeful it will be possible to achieve some additional on-road parking in the area, particularly on the wider roads.”

However, she stressed that where there was a high demand for parking, even creating more spaces would not guarantee people a place to park outside their properties.

Nick Stone, chairman of the action group set up to fight for the removal of the parking restrictions, said the number of people who signed the petition represented 97 per cent of those affected.

He said many residents had been angry at receiving parking tickets.

“The situation is very worrying for residents who are concerned about the possibility of vandalism to their vehicles, personal safety, problems with unloading or loading their vehicles, and also the inconvenience to the elderly and young mothers with infants,” he said.

“Removing the restrictions would vastly improve the day to day living of all residents and have a major impact on the quality of life in this residential area.”

What do you think should be done to solve the problems? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk>