Danger drive

By Lilly O’Gorman
THE removal of just three parking spaces is all it would take to make 13 elderly Berwick residents feel safe.
Instead the Peel Street petitioners’ requests for parking bans have been ignored and they have vowed to fight the City of Casey’s parking proposal for their street.
A report was presented at Tuesday night’s council meeting in response to a petition submitted on 5 April that called for No Standing signs to be erected on the north side of Peel Street between properties 13-17.
The report advises against this request citing “blanket parking bans are not considered to be an appropriate response.”
Instead a parking management plan was developed recommending two-hour parking restrictions on the south side of Peel Street and unrestricted parking on the north side. The parking restrictions would apply between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Council officers confirmed in the report the Berwick CBD, Department of Justice and Pioneers Park were causing increased parking demands at the Wheeler Street end of Peel Street.
A survey containing the layout plan was sent out to Peel Street property owners between Rutland Road and Wheeler Street and of the 41.4 per cent that responded, half disagreed with the proposal.
Trevor Reed said the proposal left him feeling ignored.
Mr Reed, along with other Peel Street residents, fears an accident is just around the corner because of parked cars hogging the road.
“The plans that they sent us have nothing to do with us. The council don’t seem to realise the danger,” Mr Reed said.
“All we are interested in is a space with a No Standing area so we can see cars coming. It is a safety issue, so we will keep pursuing it.”
Edward Watterson said he was rendered blind when exiting his driveway, due to parked cars obscuring his view of oncoming traffic in both directions.
“There is going to be a smash here, there is nothing surer,” Mr Watterson said.
His neighbour Jack Dwyer was also concerned for the high number of retired people living in the units along the road.
Council officers recommended to proceed with the proposal despite acknowledging the “mixed response” to the strategy and the refusal of petitioners to back away from No Standing signs in front of 13 to 17 Peel Street.
“Parking zone and linemarking controls have been identified that should address the balance between long and short term parking demands, as well as ensuring driveways are kept clear,” the report stated.