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Get off our streets say residents Get off our streets say residents
(about 2 hours later)
Residents in the Markets and Donegall Pass area of Belfast have united to protest over city commuters parking all day on their streets.Residents in the Markets and Donegall Pass area of Belfast have united to protest over city commuters parking all day on their streets.
On Wednesday morning, protestors limited access to their areas to local people and emergency services.On Wednesday morning, protestors limited access to their areas to local people and emergency services.
They said they are angry that people who do not live locally block their streets to essential services.They said they are angry that people who do not live locally block their streets to essential services.
Last week, the government launched proposals for a residents only scheme to end the scourge of all-day parking.Last week, the government launched proposals for a residents only scheme to end the scourge of all-day parking.
The plan is out to consultation and will proceed if it gets majority approval in the areas where it is planned.The plan is out to consultation and will proceed if it gets majority approval in the areas where it is planned.
Ken Orr, a community worker in Donegall Pass, said: "People are protesting against the rampant commuter parking. It's been going on for years and years.Ken Orr, a community worker in Donegall Pass, said: "People are protesting against the rampant commuter parking. It's been going on for years and years.
This is an issue of health and safety, you cannot play with people's lives Deirdre HargeyThis is an issue of health and safety, you cannot play with people's lives Deirdre Hargey
"They are blocking access to emergency vehicles, essential services, they're parked on the pavements. They are making the roads much narrower than they need be."They are blocking access to emergency vehicles, essential services, they're parked on the pavements. They are making the roads much narrower than they need be.
"You can't even park your own car in the area because of commuters.""You can't even park your own car in the area because of commuters."
Deirdre Hargey, chair of the Markets Development Association, said: " Inner city working class communities are mainly affected by this issue."Deirdre Hargey, chair of the Markets Development Association, said: " Inner city working class communities are mainly affected by this issue."
She said in the past emergency services could not get through the streets. Recently, some bins could not be emptied because of the commuter car problem, she said.She said in the past emergency services could not get through the streets. Recently, some bins could not be emptied because of the commuter car problem, she said.
"This is an issue of health and safety, you cannot play with people's lives.""This is an issue of health and safety, you cannot play with people's lives."
A police spokesman said they were aware of a number of protests in south Belfast and were monitoring the situation.A police spokesman said they were aware of a number of protests in south Belfast and were monitoring the situation.
The proposed government scheme means residents in five pilot areas pay £40 for an annual permit.The proposed government scheme means residents in five pilot areas pay £40 for an annual permit.
This has angered some people who believe they should not pay for a problem which is not of their making.This has angered some people who believe they should not pay for a problem which is not of their making.
Roads Minister Conor Murphy said sorting out the issue would incur costs.Roads Minister Conor Murphy said sorting out the issue would incur costs.