New permit scheme introduced as row over parking rages on

Labour councillors in Sheffield said two-thirds of residents and businesses in the Hillsborough Corner area were in favour of introducing permit parking on their congested streets.

Council officers have been drawing up the scheme for the Hillsborough streets for several months and said it was a bid to “tackle long stay commuter parking and give residents some priority back outside their homes”.

But the introduction comes as the leading Labour group faces a stinging attack from the Liberal Democrats over a policy of increasing permit charges in their budget to be approved next month.

Coun Leigh Bramall, Sheffield Council’s transport spokesman said: “This scheme has support from a considerable majority of local people.

“Permit parking is always about striking a balance but we’ve listened to the views of people in the area and hope that the Hillsborough scheme can go some way to improving things.

“In the past many residents and businesses have struggled to park outside their premises due to people using the area as nothing more than a free car park.

“They have been parking up on residential roads and getting the tram into town. A lot of consultation has taken place and we hope we’ve got the balance right but of course we will review the scheme and make any necessary adjustments.”

Warning notices will be issued for the first two weeks of the scheme to allow motorists to get used to the changes.

Resident Anna Hill who lives on Clarence Roadd said: “I think permit parking is a great idea and it will vastly improve the quality of life for people in and around Hillsborough Corner.

“It can be so frustrating to drive round and around to find a space on your own street. If anything I think the scheme could go further but we’ll wait and see how it goes and what the review says.

“Hillsborough is a great place and we need to encourage people to come and shop here and use the facilities. In the past it has been clogged up with commuter parking.”

But Liberal Democrat councillor and former council leader Paul Scriven warned that residents and their visitors faced a shock when charges for permits increased later in the year.

Coun Scriven said a permit for a resident’s first car will increase in cost from £10 to £20, for a second car will rise from £30 to £60.

Charges for carers will double, permits for businesses will double in price, whilst visitor permits will see a 400 per cent increase in cost from £2.50 to £10.

Coun Scriven, who represents the congested Broomhill area of the city hit out at Labour politicians, who had previously campaigned for reductions in permit prices.

He said Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield, who beat him in the race to become the constituency’s new MP, had also attacked the Liberal Democrats over parking fees, but now appeared to support rises.

“Paul Blomfield and other local Labour politicians previously campaigned on the issue in areas like Broomhill, only to betray local people now Labour have control of the council, “ said Coun Scriven.

“He should apologise and stand up for the local people he is supposed to represent by demanding the Labour council reverse their decision.

“While running the Council, Liberal Democrats reduced residents parking fees because we wanted to ease the financial pressure on local residents and businesses.

“For Labour to increase fees by up to 400per cent is unfair and it represents a real slap in the face for the people I represent. To double the charge for carers is particularly callous.”