‘You can’t park there mate’ no laughing matter in Mill Road Cambridge

Mill Road 4 People (MR4P) campaign group from Cambridge called for measures to combat pavement parking when they lobbied the county council highways and transport committee on Tuesday. MR4P represent residents of Mill Road, Cambridge, and campaigns to keep it an attractive, save and successful shopping street.

But pavement parking is a big issue – and they wanted the highways and transport committee, meeting at New Shire Hall, Alconbury, to be aware.

Member Tina Riches spoke on behalf of the group.

She asked for Mill Road to be included in the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s proposed pilot scheme on this issue.

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She also repeated MR4P’s requests for bicycle stands and planters at the edge of pavements to deter vehicles from mounting, as well as an increase in the number of enforcement officers.

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MR4P represent residents of Mill Road, Cambridge, and reminded councillors that pavement parking is a big issue

Tina told CambsNews: “We know that the vast majority of residents hate pavement parking, so we were very disappointed that county officers were so negative about employing more enforcement staff.

“Parking was rigorously controlled in the past – we simply don’t understand why it’s not possible now.’

MP4P says their campaign, PaveMeant 4 People, has proved extremely popular with local residents.

“Pavement parking restricts access for pedestrians, especially those in wheelchairs or with children’s buggies,” says a group spokesperson.

“It is dangerous for people with poor sight, and it causes damage to the pavements.

“MR4P is calling for more short-term parking bays for shoppers at the ends of adjoining streets.”

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MR4P member Charlotte de Blois, who also attended the highways and transport committee meeting, said: “People often forget that Mill Road is a residential street.

MR4P represent residents of Mill Road, Cambridge, and reminded councillors that pavement parking is a big issue

“Where I live, the pavement is ridiculously narrow. My disabled husband can even find himself trapped inside the house by illegally parked cars and fast-moving traffic close to the kerb. In addition, damage to the pavement causes dangerous trip hazards.”

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MR4P says the situation on the Petersfield side of the bridge “is particularly bad in the evenings, when the entire pavement becomes a car park for people enjoying bars and restaurants.

“MR4P has asked for enforcement outside office hours. Both Queen Anne’s and Gwydir Street car parks are free at this time”.

A FOI request from MR4P showed that in 2023, the council paid the agency OCS Group UK Ltd £545,649 for enforcement staff.  Over £2.4 million was received in fines. Only 301 parking tickets were issued on Mill Road – less than one per day.

Today (March 7) is the first anniversary of the decision by Cambridgeshire County Council to reinstall a bus gate on Mill Road bridge.

MR4P says this followed a consultation in which 72 per cent of respondents supported restricting motor vehicles from crossing the bridge.

MR4P chair Paul Lythgoe said: “We are devastated that another whole year has gone by with no action on Mill Road.

MR4P represent residents of Mill Road, Cambridge, and reminded councillors that pavement parking is a big issue. Paul Lythgoe (above) is chair of MR4P

“While we understand that legal advice is currently preventing the bus gate from being installed, we can see no justification for delaying other measures we have asked for, particularly in relation to pavement parking.”