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Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Cheapskate holidaymakers jetting from Stansted Airport are parking on our road and clogging it up for WEEKS... the council won't do a thing
Villagers are fed up with holidaymakers jetting off from Stansted Airport and dumping their cars on a residential street for weeks at a time. Residents on North Road in Takeley, Essex, just eight minutes from the airport are calling for a ban on non-residential vehicles after 10 years of parking turf wars. One couple has resorted to putting cones out to save their space - while another woman said she'd been spat at when asking someone to move their car. Ana and Luis Dos Santos who have lived on North Road for eight years said the parking situation is 'chaotic'. Ana, 34, said: 'It is horrible to come back and not have a space for your car. 'It is chaotic especially if you have kids - walking to the end of the road for the bus stop. 'They just don't care.' Luis, 55, added: 'I borrowed cones from work so we can save our parking spot from airport parkers. Villagers are fed up with holidaymakers jetting off from Stansted Airport and dumping their cars on a residential streets for weeks at a time 'It has been a nightmare, especially in the summer months. 'If there is an emergency, there is no way a fire truck or ambulance could get through. 'You have to look left and right for your car not to be scratched.' Residents have said there are parking restrictions on the road but they are ignored and there is no enforcement. Meanwhile, parking at Stansted Airport on the day costs a whopping £268. Bill Collinson, 77, said cars had been parking along North Road - and the adjoining Parsonage Road, for 10 years. Parsonage Road is the main stretch leading up to Stansted Airport, cutting out the M11, making it popular with motorists coming from further south in Essex. Retiree Bill said one German man had stopped him and offered £700 to park on his drive while he went away. Bill said: 'He pulled up to me and said he'd give me £700 to park outside my house. I said no, more like £7,000. 'This has been going on for 10 years - people parking in front of driveways, blocking people in. It's disgraceful. 'Someone should come along with a flatbed, pick them up and get rid of them.. It's dangerous.' Local councils are exploring traffic measures such as controlled parking zones, clearways and red routes on main roads, and resident parking permits. Vicky Pearson, 60, who has lived on North Road for 25 years has set up a petition calling for urgent action to stop her street being used as a 'parking lot for airport commuters'. She said: 'People are frightened to pull out of these streets now. When we are going on holiday, we are paying for a cab so why can't other people? 'If you can afford to go on holiday, then you can afford to pay parking.' Working as a security officer for FedEx, Vicky is unable to see when pulling out of her junction to go to work - as her view is blocked by parked cars. Vicky Pearson, 60, who has lived on North Road for 25 years has set up a petition calling for urgent action to stop her street being used as a 'parking lot for airport commuters' Vicky added: 'All we need is yellow lines and a sign that doesn't allow for people to park here that are going to the airport. 'It would be a lot safer for Takeley and the surrounding areas.' With the road being near a local primary school, the petition is dedicated to make the roads safe and is asking for the council to help. Dan Saull, 48, has lived in his North Road home for 40 years and said he believed it was the airport's responsibility to sort things out. Dan, a scaffolder, said: 'I totally understand why people park on the main road, times are hard and airport parking is expensive. 'But for the last three or four years it has been a real problem. 'I walk my dog at early times of the morning and you see them try and park prestige cars here. 'I tell them not to park around here because some people will damage the cars. 'I nearly hit someone the other day, you cannot see, especially when cars are parked on the kerb.' A North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) spokesperson said: 'NEPP continues to work with partners, including Uttlesford District Council (UDC) and the Fly Parking Task Group, to look at long-term, joined-up solutions to airport-related parking issues, rather than piecemeal fixes. 'While past proposals have faced challenges and not moved forward, we remain committed to supporting effective and enforceable restrictions where appropriate. 'A UDC-commissioned parking review covering the wider area is currently being prepared for publication, though North Road has not been flagged directly in it. 'In addition, a Cabinet report on 19 June, presented findings from the Takeley consultation and broader parking work in the district. 'We will consider any outcomes relevant to North Road once that report is published. 'We encourage residents experiencing parking issues to use this route to formally raise concerns and help us identify workable, supported solutions.' Uttlesford District Council said dangerous or obstructive parking, such as blocking access to a highway and parking on a bend, was a police matter. A council spokesperson added: 'We are aware of the issues raised and as an issue of public safety the responsibility lies with Essex County Council, via the North Essex Parking Partnership, as the highways authority.' It is understood Stansted Airport works closely with Essex County Council, the Uttlesford District Council Enforcement Team and Trading Standards when any issue of potential fly parking is identified.
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Telegraph
Holidaymakers dump cars in village to avoid Stansted parking charge
Holidaymakers have been accused of being abusive to residents in an Essex village where they leave their cars to avoid paying for parking at Stansted airport. Residents in Takeley claim they have been 'shouted and spat at' by motorists using the village as a free car park. 'Fly parking' has become an increasing problem in areas close to the airport and there are fears that Stansted's plans for expansion will only make the problem worse. Barbie Wilks, who has lived in Takeley all her life, said: 'We have been screamed at, shouted at and spat at. It is getting to the stage where something bad is going to happen. We used to ask people politely, but we stopped since people started to shout abuse at us. 'One neighbour, who was pregnant, was struggling to get out of her car. She had been blocked in by someone and when her partner asked them to move the car, they threw rubbish on the road.' Stansted airport has nine car parks. Booking online in advance for four days starts from £59.99 but it can go as high as £268 if someone pays on the day. The airport is currently planning a significant expansion, which will increase passenger capacity to 51 million per year by the 2040s. The plans include a terminal extension, a new solar farm and improvements to road, rail and bus services. Local councils are exploring traffic measures such as controlled parking zones, clearways and red routes on main roads, and resident parking permits to take the situation. Bill Collinson, 77, said the increase in 'fly parking' was making driving dangerous for residents, adding: 'This has been going on for 10 years – people parking in front of driveways, blocking people in. It's disgraceful. 'Someone should come along with a flatbed, pick them up and get rid of them. It's dangerous. The front of my car was almost hit the other day when I was pulling out because I just couldn't see. You see them leaving their car behind and walking up the road with their suitcases.' Neil Hargreaves, the deputy leader of Uttlesford district council, said as part of the parking consultation: 'We know many residents are concerned about people misusing residential streets to park for the airport. 'This summer, saw a spate of anti-social behaviour in Takeley with vehicles suspected of parking for the airport vandalised. We don't want to see residents penalised with higher insurance premiums if crimes like this continue. 'There is no easy solution. It is not possible to stop people parking in streets that do not have parking restrictions; and if parking restrictions are introduced, they will apply to everyone.' Stansted states on its website: 'We recognise that there is off-site fly parking activity associated with the operation of Stansted airport. 'Essex county council has already introduced measures to prevent fly parking in Takeley but, in addition, the Stansted Area Transport Forum commit funding and resource to tackle the issues of off-airport car parking and fly parking in local communities.'
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Our ancient village is blighted by tourists dumping cars to dodge £268 airport fees – we're fighting back after a DECADE
VILLAGERS revealed they are fed up with holidaymakers dumping their cars to dodge £268 airport fees while they jet off - leaving their roads clogged up for weeks. Residents on North Road in Takeley, Essex, say they're being plagued by motorists dodging parking fees at nearby Stansted Airport. 15 Parked cars on North Road in Takeley, Essex 15 Locals claim motorists are avoiding paying for parking at nearby Stansted Airport 15 There are restrictions in place on the road Restrictions are in place on the road, which is just eight minutes from the But locals say the rules are ignored, with no enforcement in place. Parking booked online for four days at Stansted Airport starts from £59.99 — but paying on the day can cost as much as £268. Locals fear someone could be seriously hurt or killed, following a surge in drivers abandoning their cars before jetting off over the past 18 months. read more on motors The turf war has dragged on for over a decade — but fed-up residents are now demanding a ban on non-residential vehicles along their road. One couple have resorted to putting cones out to save their space - while another woman said she'd been spat at when asking someone to move their car. Ana and Luis Dos Santos have lived at their two-storey home on North Road for eight years and said it was "chaotic". Ana, 34, said: "It is horrible to come back and not have a space for your car. Most read in Motors "It is chaotic especially if you have kids - walking to the end of the road for the bus stop. "They just don't care." Luis, 55, added: "I borrowed cones from work so we can save our parking spot from airport parkers. "It has been a nightmare, especially in the summer months. "If there is an emergency, there is no way a fire truck or ambulance could get through. "You have to look left and right for your car not to be scratched." Luis said he would be prepared to pay for a parking permit but it was a 'last resort'. 15 Ana and Luis Dos Santos have resorted to putting cones out to save their space 15 There are signs all over warning drivers not to park 15 Bill Collinson, 77, said North Road is full of cars left behind with their owners on holiday He explained: "We already pay a lot to the council. If it does come down to a parking permit - as a last resort - then we will pay it. "But we are mainly concerned about the safety of the children who walk to the end of the road. Safety is top priority especially for the kids." Bill Collinson, 77, said cars had been parking along North Road - and the adjoining Parsonage Road, for ten years. It's disgraceful Bill Collinson, 77 Parsonage Road offers a direct route to Stansted Airport, allowing drivers from south Essex to skip the M11 — making it a favoured shortcut. Retiree Bill said North Road is often packed with cars left by He said one German man had stopped him and offered £700 to park on his drive while he went away. Bill said: "He pulled up to me and said he'd give me £700 to park outside my house. I said no, more like £7,000. "This has been going on for ten years - people parking in front of driveways, blocking people in. It's disgraceful. "Someone should come along with a flatbed, pick them up and get rid of them. It's dangerous." Bill said up to 20 cars are often parked along Parsonage Road, making it hard for residents to pull out from the already crowded North Road. He added: "The front of my car was almost hit the other day when I was pulling out because I just couldn't see. "It's worst in the summer when you have the businessmen getting away and people going away on holiday. "You see them leaving their car behind and walking up the road with their suitcases. "I've written to Kemi Badenoch (MP for North West Essex), the Highways enforcement team, Takeley Parish Council, Essex County Council - no one will do anything. "This has got to change before someone gets hurt." Local councils are considering traffic measures like controlled parking zones, clearways, red routes on main roads, and resident parking permits. 15 Locals say the rules are ignored, with no enforcement in place 15 Terence Martin, 93, said he was disgusted with the parking 15 Dan Saull, 48, believes the airport should step in Vicky Pearson has started a petition demanding urgent action to stop North Road from being used as a "parking lot for airport commuters". Vicky, 60, who has lived on North Road, Takeley, for 25 years, says she's "fed up" with seeing up to 12 cars parked on the street each week. She said: "People are frightened to pull out of these streets now. When we are going on holiday, we are paying for a cab so why can't other people? "If you can afford to go on holiday, then you can afford to pay parking." Working as a security officer for FedEx, Vicky struggles to see when pulling out of her junction on North Road because parked cars block her view. Vicky added: "All we need is yellow lines and a sign that doesn't allow for people to park here that are going to the airport. "It would be a lot safer for Takeley and the surrounding areas." 'I'M DISGUSTED' Many residents share the frustration, with some even resorting to vandalism in the past to try and stop airport parking on their streets. With the road being near a local primary school, the petition is dedicated to make the roads safe and is asking for the council to help. OAP Terrance Martin, 93, said he was disgusted with the parking. He said: "We have tried and tried with trying to stop airport parking. "I wonder how there has been no accident." "I am disgusted with it. Barbie Wilks has lived all her life in Takeley and said she had witnessed people being abused for asking others to move their cars. She explained: "We used to ask people politely but we stopped since people started to shout abuse at us. "One neighbour who was pregnant was struggling to get out her car. "She had been blocked in by someone and when her partner asked them to move the car, they threw rubbish on the road. "We have been screamed at, shouted at and spat at. "It is getting to the stage where something bad is going to happen. "Most people are fed up to their back teeth." I nearly hit someone the other day Dan Saull, 48 Barbie said she would be in support of parking permits to stop 'a whole road of airport parkers'. She added: "All you hear is people beeping their car horns. "I have watched people and families from the bottom of the road get out of their cars and get the bus to the airport." Dan Saull, 48, has lived in his North Road home for 40 years and said he believed it was the airport's responsibility to sort things out. Dan, a scaffolder, said: "I totally understand why people park on the main road, times are hard and airport parking is expensive. "But for the last three or four years it has been a real problem. "I walk my dog at early times of the morning and you see them try and park prestige cars here. "I tell them not to park around here because some people will damage the cars. "I nearly hit someone the other day, you cannot see, especially when cars are parked on the kerb." Dan, who lives with his dog Ted, added: "For me, the airport should step in. They should do something about it. Lower their prices." WHAT IS BEING DONE? A North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) spokesperson said: "NEPP continues to work with partners, including Uttlesford District Council (UDC) and the Fly Parking Task Group, to look at long-term, joined-up solutions to airport-related parking issues, rather than piecemeal fixes. "While past proposals have faced challenges and not moved forward, we remain committed to supporting effective and enforceable restrictions where appropriate. "A UDC-commissioned parking review covering the wider area is currently being prepared for publication, though North Road has not been flagged directly in it. "In addition, a Cabinet report on 19 June, presented findings from the Takeley consultation and broader parking work in the district. "We will consider any outcomes relevant to North Road once that report is published. "We encourage residents experiencing parking issues to use this route to formally raise concerns and help us identify workable, supported solutions." Uttlesford District Council said dangerous or obstructive parking, such as blocking access to a highway and parking on a bend, was a police matter. A council spokesperson added: "We are aware of the issues raised and as an issue of public safety the responsibility lies with Essex County Council, via the North Essex Parking Partnership, as the highways authority." It is understood that Stansted Airport works closely with Essex County Council, the Uttlesford District Council Enforcement Team and Trading Standards when any issue of potential fly parking is identified. 15 Even Dan Saull's dog, Ted, has had enough of these parked cars 15 There is a petition dedicated to making the roads safe 15 The district council said dangerous or obstructive parking 15 One holidaymaker offered a resident £700 for parking 15 The turf war has dragged on for over a decade 15 The cars parked on North Road in Takeley
