Latest news with #ParkingRestrictions
CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Parking restrictions implemented in Ellicott City as severe weather in Maryland brings flood risk
Parking restrictions are in effect for parts of Ellicott City Monday evening as severe weather could cause flooding in Maryland. The restrictions for the flood-prone area come as about 2 to 3 inches of rain are predicted to fall in the county during Monday evening. A Flood Watch is in effect for parts of Howard County through midnight. Parking restrictions in Ellicott City Starting at 1:30 p.m., parking is prohibited along Main Street from Ellicott Mills Drive to the Patapsco River Bridge and along Maryland Avenue. Parking Lot D, behind the Howard County Welcome Center, and Parking Lot E off of Court Avenue are closed, county leaders said. Drivers have until 3 p.m. to move their cars. Leaders recommend that vehicles be relocated to the Historic Circuit Courthouse parking lot. Vehicles that are not moved by 3 p.m. will be towed to the courthouse parking lot with no cost to the owner. County leaders said Department of Public Works crews are also securing county-owned outdoor furniture. Residents and business owners are urged to do the same. Ellicott City flood prevention Ellicott City has been impacted by deadly flooding on several occasions in recent years, including in 2011, 2016, and 2018. The historic city is prone to severe flooding. This has prompted county leaders to launch the Ellicott City Safe and Sound Plan, which aims to mitigate flooding by removing debris from waterways after heavy rain. Under the flood mitigation plan, the county has worked on seven flood control projects, including two completed retention ponds. The North Tunnel project, which is still under construction, will be able to collect 26,000 gallons of water per second and divert it away from Ellicott City's Main Street. The project is expected to be complete in fall 2027. Severe weather in Maryland Severe storms are expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Maryland on Monday in the afternoon and evening, according to WJZ's First Alert Weather Team. Thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread during the evening hours and could be capable of torrential rainfall and flash flooding. Maryland has experienced several days of heavy rains in the past week, meaning today's rainfall could quickly lead to flooding on roads during the evening commute.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Seapark beach: Double yellow lines to be installed at parking spot
Double yellow lines are set to be installed at a popular beachfront hotspot in an effort to stop drivers from abandoning their cars in residential beach in Holywood, County Down, attracts beachgoers hoping to enjoy the warmer weather – but local residents have complained of traffic is a car park but it can overflow during the busier days with drivers parking along the narrow Seapark Road, Seapark Lane and Seapark a letter from Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, it was outlined the double yellow lines would be painted in "the coming weeks subject to available resources". "As a result of this, these double yellow lines should help reduce parking allowing for better traffic progression entering and leaving the A2 resulting in reduced queuing onto the A2," she said in her letter to North Down assembly and Environment Minister Andrew added that Department for Infrastructure officials would monitor the situation after the lines are installed to "determine whether further restrictions are appropriate". 'Main road is quite tight' As Northern Ireland basks in glorious sunshine, there was a mixed reaction to the news of the incoming double yellow lines from those enjoying the weather at Seapark Grimley, from west Belfast, was on her first visit to the beach and said she was lucky getting parked in the car park as another vehicle had pulled out of a space."I could see the main road though was covered in cars and it is quite tight," she also expressed sympathy for residents over the parking situation, saying: "I know if I was living there, it would be a pain." John Compston was enjoying the sunny weather with his granddaughter Atlanta said he could understand locals being "fed up" with the situation."But you would think there would be another way of putting more car parking spaces in somewhere along the way," he asked about their parking experience, Atlanta said: "It's kind of the same as it is at Helen's Bay... at the end of the day, you pay road tax and it's people coming to enjoy the beach."Double yellows are only really necessary if you're offloading." 'Significant measures needed' Alliance councillor Gillian McCollum welcomed the upcoming installation of the double yellow lines but believes "significant infrastructure measures" are needed within Seapark to accommodate the main concern was emergency vehicle access on extremely busy days."It creates a gridlock situation when the road is reduced to a single lane and cars then become backed up right up on to the A2 and that creates a situation where emergency vehicles would have no hope of accessing the area," she added that she would like to see more beachgoers using public transport."We would like people to be mindful that this is a highly residential area and these residents have been literally plagued with this problem for several years and we would like people to be considerate," she said. 'Not a silver bullet' Councillor Alan Graham, from the Democratic Unionist Party, said he understood the frustrations of those opposing the double yellow lines."I can imagine a mother and father with children and the hustle and bustle of getting them out of the car, getting the packs on them and not being able to get parked - it's very frustrating," he added that the double yellow lines were not a silver bullet to the traffic bedlam."There's a tension between increasing car parking space and taking up green grass," he said. "I believe there is a balance."I would be reasonably sympathetic to extending the car park to accommodate more people."
