Parking ban is set to ease car boot misery

PARKING is to be banned along large sections of The Slough in a bid to prevent problems caused by visitors to Studley Car Boot.

Since starting 22 years ago the boot, which takes place in two 50 acre fields off Jill Lane, has grown to be one of the largest in the Midlands.

But it has caused misery for residents and motorists as bargain hunters dump their cars in front of residents homes and on grass verges near junctions to avoid queueing to get out of the official on-site parking, despite the fact parking is free.

Now Warwickshire County Council is proposing to put double yellow lines along The Slough, Jill Lane, Green Lane and large sections of Kiln Close as well as parts of Knottesford Close and St Judes Avenue.

It is also planned no parking restrictions on Sundays between 8am and midday will be introduced during the main car boot season from April 1 to October 31 in areas including Brickyard Lane, Kiln Close and Johns Close.

Organisers of Studley Car Boot, have tried to discourage visitors from parking off-site by issuing advisory notices and coning off areas themselves but without success and have indicated they are willing to help fund extra parking wardens to police the proposed new restrictions.

A spokeswoman for Studley Car Boot said: “We’re supporting Warwickshire County Council on this because we feel it is the only solution. We have tried everything else and nothing works. There are people who just won’t use our car parks and they are upsetting the residents which we don’t want.”

But Coun Clive Rickhards, who represents Studley on the county council, said the idea had split residents with some angry they will be inconvenienced in order to deal with the problem.

“It is a real dilemma because some residents are pleased something is being done about it while others are not prepared to forego their right to park their car outside their homes even for a few hours for six months of the year so there is a real conflict,” he said.

“There is a lot of interest in a residents only parking scheme and the issuing of permits and signage and it is something I will be pressing the county council on.”

The restrictions are currently being consulted on and residents can comment by writing to Katrina Pedlar, Communities Group, Shire Hall, Warwick, PO Box 43, Shire Hall, Warwick, CV34 4SX by February 10.