Dallam resident's outrage at years of parking madness on street

Graham Myers, 68, has been a resident of Tavlin Avenue, in Dallam, for more than a decade.

He has described the parking chaos that erupts on his street three out of four Sundays every month, when the rugby games commence on Dallam Recreation Ground.

The grounds sit adjacent to his home.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, Graham said: “The regular field has parking there. Three out of four weeks they have such a big flow of traffic that it can get really bad.

Parking issues on Tavlin Street (Image: Supplied)
“The cars are parking on the zig zag lines on Longshaw Street. No one seems to care. All we are looking for is a bit of help.”

The field is the home of Bank Quay Bulls ARLFC and regular matches are played on the fields every Sunday. 

However, spectators of the sport often 'abandon' their cars on Tavlin Avenue and Longshaw Street before each game begins, Graham told.

“When people park, there is no consideration for any delivery vehicles or emergency vehicles that may need to access to the street.

“They park there for a number of hours and do not care. It is three out of four Sundays, when the kids play on the Rugby field.

“I am sure it would affect people if they needed an emergency vehicle.

“People just park on the zig zags every week and they are breaking the law. Until someone gets knocked down at that crossing, then people will care," he stated.

The cars block driveways and park on zig zag lines (Image: Supplied)
In a bid to have the issue resolved or looked into, the resident has contacted local MPs, councillors and the police, but to his disappointment, nothing has been done.

Graham suggested a solution to the issue being to make the road ‘residents only parking’, or to put in place yellow lines.

“Next month the rugby club are going to have a big fun day and last year I could not get off the drive because of the cars.

“They just park across the pavements. You could not go anywhere.

“The rugby club are not interested; all they want to do is put the rugby on. I have no problem with people enjoying themselves but when it comes to a point when people are abandoning their cars, it’s enough.”

“It has been worse this year because all the young teams seem to be playing at the same time.”

Meanwhile a representative of Bank Quay Bulls ARLFC stressed that the parking issue was not necessarily just coming from the rugby games held at the recreation grounds, but also by visitors of the local Kings Church.

As well as visitors of Bewsey and Dallam Community Hub, which are both situated along Longshaw Street.

They added that parking in the surrounding area may have increased recently due to the main parking facility at the sports grounds closing temporarily.

A spokesperson for Bank Quay Bulls ARLFC said: “Our Main Car park is currently closed due to the traveller community trying to gain entrance. 

“We have managed to secure it so that there is no way for anyone to break through the gate for a number of weeks as we know from previous years the travellers' come around this time. 

The cars block driveways and park on zig zag lines (Image: Supplied)
“A week last Sunday while our children were enjoying their rugby games, they did attempt to gain entrance. 

“So, we have completely blocked the main gate, and we won’t be opening it until late august.”

 The rugby team stated that the council and police have been contacted regarding the closure of the main car park and in turn by doing this it will ‘save public money’ by the facility not having to contact the police on traveller-related incidents.

Addressing the issue of parking for visitors of the rugby club, the spokesperson added: “We have given all parents strict instructions not to park on white zigzags or block anyone in.

“We do have away fans also attending and we do also tell them to be mindful on where they park. 

“We have not had any games for two weeks and the main car park has only been blocked for just over a week. 

“We are currently running a campaign over litter and dog fowling that we are left to clean up each day we are using the playing field, we will also remind parents once again to be mindful of parking.”

Weighing in on the reported issue, a Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We have received a complaint about this issue which we have referred to the police and we will work with them to look to deter any illegal or inconsiderate parking and deal with it where it occurs.

“We will also contact the rugby club and ask them to request their spectators be considerate of other road users and not park in a way which blocks other traffic, obstructs zig zigs lines or other parking restrictions in the area.”

Meanwhile, Cheshire Police confirmed in a statement that the local beat manager and PCSO are aware of the reported issues and will be ‘monitoring the situation going forward’.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “Appropriate action will be taken with any vehicle found to be parked causing an unnecessary obstruction.

“The contravention of yellow lines is enforceable by Warrington Borough Council parking wardens.

“The local PCSO has engaged with the rugby club who have issued appropriate advice to the parents and supporters.”