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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 Hargey | This 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. |