A BATTLE to prevent double yellow lines being put down outside some Blackpool homes has been won by residents.
More than 100 people objected after Blackpool Council revealed it planned to impose restrictions on a stretch of Portree Road in Bispham.
People living in nearby Elkview Court, which is assisted living accommodation for the elderly, feared they and their visitors would be forced to walk too far to reach their homes.
Now the residents are celebrating after transport chiefs had a change of heart and agreed to drop the proposal.
Resident Sheila Beverley said: “There is not much internal parking here so people must park on the road.
“But elderly residents and their visitors would have had to park much further up Portree Road if these restrictions had come in, and because of their age and infirmity, this would have caused real hardship for some people.
“Nearly everyone was against it.”
Another resident of Elkview Court, Carol Neale said: “We have people who have nurses and other health professionals regularly visiting and sometimes they have quite heavy equipment to carry with them so they need to be able to park close to the building.”
Residents were helped in their battle by Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard after concerns were raised at a question and answer session.
Mr Maynard said: “People were very concerned, and although this might seem quite a small issue, it obviously meant a great deal to the people living in the area which is why I was only too pleased to take it up on their behalf.
“I am very glad the council has taken notice.”
Ingthorpe ward councillor Kath Rowson said: “Parking is already difficult in this area and residents were worried about it, so I am pleased the council has agreed not to put in the restrictions and to monitor the situation.”
The council had considered restrictions because of fears emergency service vehicles were having difficulty using the road due to the number of cars parked there.
Coun Fred Jackson, cabinet member for streets and transport, said: “After a resident contacted us with concerns about the amount of cars parking on Portree Road, our officers visited the site to evaluate the problem and see how we could help.
“Having inspected the road, a plan to reduce this level of parking by introducing double yellow lines was consulted on, in order to gauge people’s views of plans.
“After considering the views of the residents on the road, and their families who visit, I have decided we should keep the road without the lines for now, and monitor it over a 12-month period.
“I know issues like this can have a serious impact on residents and this decision shows this council is always willing to listen.”
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