'It's getting worse': Complaints over parking troubles in Northampton residential area

Complaints have been made about the state of parking and lack of spaces for residents in an area of Northampton.

More and more cars are being left inappropriately or even dangerously in the unrestricted roads in Semilong, according to residents and a councillor.

Various reasons have been suggested for the issue with few solutions, leaving people frustrated but with little hope of change.

"People don't seem to know how to park so some put their small cars in the middle of the space and you can't get anything in either side," an anonymous Lower Hester Street resident said.

"And a lot just decide to make their own spaces which take up room on the pavement or in the road."

The resident, who works early and late shifts, said she regularly has to park five streets away from her house as the spaces are all taken by the time she gets home.

In recent weeks, she has seen vehicles parked at an angle and on the pavement, as drivers do their best to squeeze into tight spaces.

On Monday, Northamptonshire Police towed a car in Lower Hester Street which had done just that following a report on social media.

The Northampton team tweeted: "This won’t be tolerated... we are listening and acting accordingly."

Les Marriott has been the Labour councillor for Semilong at Northampton Borough Council for nine years and thinks the issue has worsened.

He believes a combination of an increase in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), commuters and workers using the roads to park for free and a lack of spaces are to blame.

The resident agrees the rise in student houses and other HMOs is the main reason for the issues at night.

"It's getting worse because the council keeps agreeing for houses being sold to be turned into HMOs," they said

"So we have more cars and those who have lived here for years are getting pushed out as we can't get a space - it's becoming ridiculous."

Councillor Marriott said the council does often block HMO applications but they are often granted on appeal.

The resident is unsure how to fix the issue - they think permits would not be checked enough to work and drivers will keep parking irresponsibly.

The Labour councillor believes extended parking schemes for residents would help but does have sympathy for those affected.

"For people that live there, you can't blame them as they all want a car," he said.

"It's difficult as they drive around the streets at night and can't find a space so they do silly things like double parking."

For information on nuisance parking and how it should be reported, visit northants.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/asb/asb/antisocial-behaviour/nuisance-parking/