Published at 13:13, Sunday, 09 September 2012

PEOPLE who complain their street is being used as an “overflow car park” for Furness General Hospital are demanding action.

Residents of Elterwater Crescent, near Furness General Hospital, say their street is inundated with the vehicles of motorists using the hospital.

Denise and Frank Pearson, who have lived in the crescent for more than 40 years, say they are “sick and tired” of the problem.

They say the cars block drives of residents and drivers double park.

Mr Pearson, 68, said he and his wife had even been forced to get a taxi from the hospital to their home because their own car was blocked in.

The couple say the cars belong to staff at the hospital who want to avoid paying to park there.

Parking permits for hospital staff cost between £9 and £34 per month depending on their pay.

Resident Roger Wood, 69, said cars parked on the pavement, forced parents with prams and people on mobility scooters to use the road.

He said: “I come down with my grandchildren and sometimes we have to cross the road or walk up the road.”

He was also concerned access for ambulances or fire engines could be blocked by parked cars.

Residents said they have had meetings about the issue with local councillors and Cumbria County Council had painted white lines across their drives to stop people blocking them.

However, they said more needed to be done in the form of double yellow lines, or restricted parking times.

A council spokesman said it would continue to monitor the issue.

He said: “We visited the street yesterday (Thursday) around 3pm and found there was no evidence of obstructive parking.

“However, the concerns of our residents are important to us and as a result we will further monitor the issue and look at consideration for the need for yellow line waiting restrictions.”

Juliet Walters, Chief Operating Officer, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said staff were offered parking permits at a “reasonable rate”.

She said: “We understand that it can be frustrating for local residents if a car is not parked in a respectful manner so we have reminded all staff that if they choose to park in a residential area, they should be mindful of residents and park legally at all times.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk