Newark bus forced to turn around as Sconce and Devon park matchday parking concerns continue
Indiscriminate matchday parking in a residential area has forced a bus to turn around from its route.
There had already been concern from residents who said the influx of cars on weekends to attend football matches on Sconce and Devon Park, Newark, was filling the carpark and spilling over on to residential streets, making it difficult for them to exit their own driveways.
Valley Prospect resident Alan Parkinson saying: “I had been to get my paper and on my way home met an elderly lady waiting for a bus into Newark.
“I knew the bus was on time because I’d seen it on Boundary Road, but as I was talking to her we saw the bus turning down Hawton Road. It had to turn around because of the selfish parking of cars on either side of the road.
“The lady had to get a taxi because she couldn’t get the bus and that’s what I take issue with. Older people should not have to pay for a taxi just to get into town because the bus couldn’t reach them.
“I just think it’s irresponsible. What would happen if an ambulance or fire engine couldn’t make it down there? What would happen if there was an accident at the football?”
Alan said parking was at its worst on Valley Prospect, Parkway and surrounding streets between 8.30am and 12.30pm on Saturdays.
He said: “It’s only for four hours a week but they have to appreciate that other people want to use the park.
“The children need somewhere to go. I don’t want to see the football disappear, but there has to be some give and take.
“I will say the football club are trying all they can, talking to parents about the issues.
“But it should be common sense not to park on both sides of the road. With cars parked opposite houses it leaves no room and blocks driveways too.”
In October, residents set up a petition asking for the existing carpark to be expanded, but Alan also believes there are simpler solutions.
He said: “On the Sconce park, there is a carpark on either side.
“The carpark closest to the football fields may be full, but the other one is usually only about half full.
“You could probably get another 20 cars over there and then it’s just a five-minute walk across the park to the football fields. People just need to be aware.
“There are generally about 40 parked up on the road, so it could take half of them off of the streets straight away.”
In October residents attended a Newark and Sherwood District Council meeting in which a petition to address the parking situation was presented to Keith Girling.
The district council noted the concerns and confirmed that all the relevant people and departments had been made aware of the situation, including Nottinghamshire County Council highways.
It was also stated that there had been communication with the football clubs to ask them to communicate with parents and ask they to park further away and walk down to the park for games.
