Shoppers and commuters cause parking chaos for residents

FAMILIES living on the Gascoigne Estate banded together last week to demand answers from the council over parking havoc. Pensioners, parents and youngsters from the estate met at the community centre in the heart of the estate to speak with their MP Marga

FAMILIES living on the Gascoigne Estate banded together last week to demand answers from the council over parking havoc.

Pensioners, parents and youngsters from the estate met at the community centre in the heart of the estate to speak with their MP Margaret Hodge.

At least 80 people turned up on Wednesday, February 18 to make their voices heard after inconsiderate parking by shoppers and commuters left residents without any space for their cars.

The unanimous verdict seemed to be that tenants and householders were terrified to move their cars because if they did someone would steal their space.

John Excell has lived on the Gascoigne Estate for nine years, he said: "If I have to go shopping or take my children somewhere I have to move my car.

"But when I come back there is nowhere to park. Sometimes I have to leave my car at the other side of the estate and walk back in the dark.

"It is getting absolutely ridiculous."

Last week Margaret Hodge MP, Councillors Val Rush and Milton McKenzie and council officers met families to hear their problems first hand.

A residents parking only zone is wanted for the whole estate - that would stop shoppers and commuters using Gascoigne as a car park.