Parking Restricted on Woodvale
Created by CliveYou will have noticed the double yellow lines which were added to both sides of Woodvale last week along with many other Kingsway roads.
Personally I was expecting to see them in the vicinity of the traffic lights and the “sausage shaped island” (cars right on the edge of there were a bit of a nuisance) but I am suprised to see that both sides are now fully lined and I know that many Woodvale residents are peeved about it because they weren’t expecting it either.
Their problems are exacerbated by very minimal parking provided with most houses and the constant presence of the various construction and trade vehicles where building work is ongoing.
It’s nice to be a little remote but it does mean that many houses have more than one car and I had expected that one side of the road would remain free for residential parking (not to mention visitors)!
I suppose once the building has all finished it may improve but I can’t help thinking that things will get worse as the population grows 
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September 12th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
The guys at the Kingsway Village website very kindly sent me the following statement about this:
Statement from QUVL Ltd (Quedgeley Urban Village Living)
Topic Parking Restrictions – Woodvale and Valley Gardens.
The Kingsway development operating company has agreed and implemented certain measures on part of the development to assist them and indeed also the Highways Authority to improve traffic flow along the development’s main streets.
These steps have been taken for safety and general environment reasons. They follow considerable concern from residents, the Highways Authority and the bus operating company with regard to blocked roads because of unsafe and inconsiderate parking.
These new arrangements are to do no more or no less than ensure there is a safe smooth flow of traffic through the development; that public transport and delivery vehicle routes are not blocked and, of course, also so that public transport and emergency vehicles are not hindered in any way.
We are confident every resident on Kingsway would wish this to be the situation.
So it has occurred that double yellow lines have been now applied to Woodvale – the main through road. It was proposed to also apply yellow lines to Valley Gardens, but on further consideration and taking into account certain views expressed by residents, it was decided to limit the parking restrictions to the main road and for safety reasons the small stretch of Valley Gardens adjacent to the traffic light junction .
We can re-assure residents that for the time being, this is the full extent of the proposed parking restrictions. To supplement these road markings, signs will also be erected on adjacent lamp columns. People are, of course, being given a short period to get used to the new restrictions.
Once this short settling in period has taken place that enforcement procedures would operate.
Again for safety purposes these parking restrictions must it is felt also include the footpath, verge and cycle way adjacent to the double yellow line sections of the roads.
Vehicles who persistently parked in these yellow line areas would be clamped.
We are hoping that all residents clearly appreciate the reason for this new carefully considered parking plan. It is – as has been stressed – linked to safety and traffic flow. It is about the well being of the general environment of ALL of the “village”.
It is all about the common good of the children, the people using the buses and indeed car owners on the development too. It is accepted, of course, that certain people are more directly affected than others, but we expect and hope they will appreciate that this parking plan requirement is for the good of all.
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I am also concerned about parking and double yellow lines. I have been led to understand that once the developers have finished along Thatcham Avenue then the double yellow lines will appear here as well. I appreciate the thought behind this and the limited parking with each house, but unfortunately not everyone has alternative transport available to them, when it comes to getting to work and therefore cars will remain the main form of transport. Already there are people who are forced to park on their front gardens along this road. I have noticed that the developers opposite us have put in a car park and perhaps it would be worth considering the siting of these at strategic points along the various roads, so that there will be room for visitors to park.
My other concern is with the state of the roads and have this evening E-mailed the Kingsway Development about the amount of mud and the lack of cleaning. Having lived on a new housing development in the past, I never encountered such mess. I had a long chat with the site manager opposite who assured me that he was doing his utmost as far as his contractors are concerned and that others are the culprits. He did suggest that I contact the consortium directly as he had also approached them about this matter.
Is there anyone else out there who feels the same as I do? If so it may help if you aired your views as well, because I know we don’t have to live with this mess. The more people who raise this issue the more likely it is that something will be done.
November 24th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
As someone living in Woodvale, it was extremely pleasing to see the double yellow lines appear and the end to the parking.
Having put up for many months with the noise from inconsiderate parkers etc etc, we now have some relief from being woken up at all hours of the early morning, with people shouting and slamming car doors.
Having said that, we are now plagued with site traffic constantly using Woodvale despite notices stating “NO CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC” in fact since those signs went up, the site traffic has got worse and worse. Today Saturday 24 November 2007, we have had site construction traffic using the road all day with the outcome every user of the road has been affected by the sheer mess caused by mud left on the road pictures in our possession and sent to Kingsway development. My concern is safety, this situation could lead to an accident should somebody skid on the greasy surface left by the mud, plus the fact why should the residents have to put up with this situation?
I have notified Kingsway Development of my concerns on two occasions along with other problems but despite assurances that they would inform the ‘Project Manager’ and get back to me, nothing has been resolved, nor have they got back to me. I am now convinced, that there may be good cause to look into the health and safety aspects and find out why there appears to be a disregard for the original planning conditions namely Schedule B section 50 “CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC CONDITIONS”
It would be nice if we could get some feedback from the Project Manager.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Hi there.
I only moved in 2 months now and discovered double yellow line outside my house which is disgusting because this is the only road do have yellow line where as other street don’t and that causes devalue house market minus £10,000 each houses. I bet you didnt know that did you? However if you speak to your estate agent about it it is quite shocking.
Anyway since people started complaining about mud on roads, what is the problem?
We all knew it is building site for another 18th months and we all have to accept it. Someone mention about policy on schedules B and section 50, what? No one EVER follows the rules in this world don’t they unless you want to be perfect… We all have to accept what goes on as Kingsway Village is being redeveloped.
November 25th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Hi Folks,
You raise some interesting points.
I find it sad that people have to park on their gardens, it doesnt do much for the garden or the area.
I also have sympathies with the issues about parking for visitors, this is somewhat embarrassing in my experience!
Hi robin, which road do you live in?
Personally I would prefer to have lines outside my house. In my last house I was constantly annoyed by people parking broken-down cars right outside my door (there were double-yellow lines there too – lol)… I guess it’s a matter of personal preference.
I’m not sure I believe most of what estate agents tell me though
The complaint about mud on the roads is a valid one I think; whilst we all moved in knowing that the estate was under construction, it shouldn’t mean we have to put up with unreasonable levels of mud. When I moved here a year ago the roads were filthy during the day but cleaned up very well every night. Lately it seems that the level and frequency of cleaning has deteriorated.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Hi all,
I’ve lived on the Kingsway for 9 months now. The parking situation has seriously tested my tolerance levels!
Where I live people have a garage and a parking space or 2 parking bays.
Due to building works we have to use both spaces as we have 2 cars… and not park it outside our front door. I dont mind this, but it totally annoys me when people don’t use their garages and decide to park anywhere (which has included blocking my car in its space) and outside my front door and not theirs!
It is a pain having to move one car to get another but thats life… we all knew this before we moved in… so why buy a house with 2 spaces when there’s 4 cars in the household????
I agree with the message above about having maybe an area where visitors can park, but I also think these areas would be abused by some.
If people were just repectful of others I dont think we would have as much of a problem as we do have.
The mud on the roads is poor show, I’ve been out tonight and they’ve not been touched.
On another note – Will there be a residents association of some form? or do you think these should be for each area rather than the Kingsway on the whole?
November 27th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Hi Daisily,
Thank you for joining in, I agree with you 100%.
Selfish and careless parking can make your blood boil and yes… no doubt visitor parking would be abused by some people.
With regard to the final question (residents association) I haven’t heard anything yet but I will make some enquiries and post any results I get.
My personal preference would be for an association which “covers” the entire village, with (hopefully) representatives from all areas.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Hi Clive,
)
Cheers for your response. I look forward to hearing anything you find out about a residents association
November 28th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I feel Robin’s comments are a sad reflection on attitudes. I have lived on a development before and there was never this level of mud on the roads as they were regularly cleaned throughout the day with a final cleaning once all the construction traffic had left. This sometimes meant that the road sweeper would go over the roads several times before leaving the site.
Having spoken to the project manager on Monday, who said that he was visiting the site that day, everything seemed much more positive and I would say there was an improved level of cleanliness yesterday and Monday, but today it would seem to be as bad as ever.
We DO NOT and SHOULD NOT have to live with this.
November 29th, 2007 at 5:30 am
Hi Ruth,
The cleaning you describe is exactly what we saw this time last year.
At the risk of repeating myself – I also agree with you 100% – and without wishing to sound patronising – that was very nicely put
December 24th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Hi all,
Just to add another voice, we live along Thatcham Avenue and are appalled at the number of cars that park along there without concern for others. There are the people who insist on parking bang on the roundabout at the top, and the people who park on the ‘priority to oncoming traffic’ restrictions!
When there were double yellows along there all of the cars managed to park elsewhere (most of these houses have parking at the rear), and Thatcham was clear. Then the lines were blacked out and the number of cars parked there tripled.
The situation is getting quite ridiculous. You enter at the roundabout and just hope someone will not appear for the 400 metre drive down the road.
Add to that the constant stream of construction traffic…
… and then, last night at 23:30hrs, a road surfacing (tarmac) machine was being driven off site back up towards Woodvale. What’s going on??? It’s not the first time we’ve been woken by construction (site) vehicles being driven along Thatcham Avenue at midnight and into the early hours.
darreng.
December 30th, 2007 at 2:30 am
Hello everyone,
I completely agree with Daisily’s comments. I have only lived on the site for just over a month and have been amazed by some of the thoughtless parking. I sympathise with those residents who do not have any spaces, bays, driveways or garages however when I was househunting, parking facilities were a high priority for me!
For those who have got allocated facilities, why cant you use them? I took my young daughter for a walk to the swings today for the first time and was forced to walk on the road on 3 occasions due to cars parking on pavements; not such a big deal but she was riding her bike and it was an inconvenience, not to mention contradicting the road safety that she is being taught.
The other area of concern is those who park on the corners of junctions and opposite each other on the bends and on windey parts of the road (eg: Valley Gardens). If a fire engine was to have to get down the road or turn into various roads then it would have great difficulty in doing so. I drive HGV’s and know how much room is needed.
Well that’s my rant over with. I do hope that the developers listen to those who live here with regards to visitor parking and that those careless parkers sort it out!
Nobby C.
January 1st, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Hi Nobby,
I had relatives staying over new year who commented on the fact that emergency vehicles would NOT be able to get to certain houses where I live due to people’s inconsiderate parking, actually if the fire was in the back of my house it would affect me also. Does anyone know if there are surveys or anything that are done to look at the access available for emergency vehicles in some areas?
Happy New Year to you all too x
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:55 am
Hi Darreng & NobbyC,
Thanks for joining us
Interesting point you make about the emergency vehicles.
I noticed just the other day how ridiculous the parking has become on Thatcham Avenue and also the parking on bends around some of the sidestreets (Kinloss Avenue for instance).
Hi Daisily
I’ll make some enquiries about the emergency access (if it ever matters it’ll be too late)!
Happy new year to you too
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Hi All,
I agree the parking is not great but what were you expecting when you bought your house? The parking while poor was obvious before you decided to move in, if it was that much of an issue don’t move in at all. It does annoy me that people have 2 spaces but still often don’t use them… it seems garages are for storage now and not for cars!
Even worse on Halton Way where people have car ports I often see one person parked in front of the gates to the car port, one on the kerb side and no one under the car port at all… seems like those gates must be welded shut!
I also agree with the emergency vehicles situation as I live in a cul de sac and people park so stupidly at the entrance I have to struggle in my car, if ever there was a fire there is no way the engines would get in. This has been highlighted to the developers but apparently they have no responsibility at all… Convenient!
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Hi Tricky,
Thanks for joining us
Speaking for my family, when we moved in the parking was not obvious at all… most of the roads hadn’t been built and the plans we saw showed no indication of intended parking restrictions or facilities.
Where I lived before was much worse, but Kingsway is new and – judging by the popularity of this thread – parking is THE major issue; so I’m guessing nobody anticipated the current level of obstruction!
The main concern from my POV is where we will be in a year or two!
January 10th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Seems the emergency services cant do much either
(
I spoke to a fire officer from another area, he’s saying to contact the local fire station to complain/raise our concerns. They will then come out and look but all they are able to do is leaflet the houses cars to raise awareness of the issue. If they cant get the engine through fire officers will get to the fire on foot. Still not the point though.
Is there a local election coming up? ;o)
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Evening all.
I was just wondering what the white lines mean that are painted on the pavement? Is this for the cars to park half on them?
Also I’ve just found out that there are no post boxes in kingsway; how mad is that? The postie this morning was telling me that it has something to do with planning! Not a major problem if you have a car but it just made me laugh!
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Hi Nobby,
I think the white lines are supposed to indicate a cycling lane/area on the pavement… I’m not 100% sure though.
Funny thing about the post boxes, I hadn’t thought about it but it is slightly mad
March 9th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Hi All,
Nice to see a place we can raise our concerns, sometimes I feel like a one man crusade here.
I am now in my second house here in area 3. Mad? Yes I must be!
You think it’s bad on phase one with Laser etc, try coming over here. It’s strictly 4WD most days. We had paths once, that lasted a day then Miller and Persimmon moved in and yes – they have now gone.
The only reason for staying is that one day I am sure this will be a nice place to live!
I lived in Halton Way for two years and when Woodvale was restricted our house became unsellable and instantly the sale fell through as the number of cars was unreal and the price fell like a brick.
Some houses had five cars, many houses here are being let out by the room! I have spoken to several people here who are making a killing.
We couldn’t get in or out of Halton Way most nights when we moved out in December. We even had one nice couple who parked over our front gate! When asked to move the verbal abuse was unreal. Our friends in front of us had the same problem, they have moved out and there house remains unsold now for 14 months.
I must admit the persons causing the main issues were people letting houses! Not that I am getting at people who let, but some just dont care.
The parking is a major safety concern. How would a fire engine get down any of these side roads at night?
My car broke down one night and the RAC had no choice but to drop it on Woodvale as Halton Way was grid locked. It had to stay there until the morning when some of the cars moved.
Now I have to go down Thatcham Avenue. Some nights cars parking on both sides is a major issue. This will be the main road to the school in September. Also currently many people here think the pavement and front gardens are car parks! Thank you… We like having to walk on the muddy road!
On the state of the roads, I moved into Kingsway in December 2005, I will say the roads were cleaner when we did not have any!
I have suggest to the “powers that be” that they provide a car cleaning service free. My major issue is the most of us come home from 4pm onward, the roads are a mess, the road sweeper (silver one) always seems to leave the site around 5pm then comes back later once we have all driven through the mud.
Then there is weekend working when no provison to clean is made… and yes its all down to cost with QVLC.
At least QVLC have given permission for a security guard to turn around construction traffic who can’t read the big red signs, but it did not take long for some to figure out if you come in before 7 you can get through
I will say things have changed over the last couple of weeks but that has only come about as the developers have been fined by the council – at long last!
Sorry to grumble, I do like it here….. Honest!
March 10th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Hi Thatcham,
I agree with you about the rented properties. It’s all very well buying a house, letting each room individually and making a fortune but if parking is only available for one car they might think about the consequences before letting them all to car owners… I expect there are going to be major problems once the development is finished and all the double-yellow lines are added! (Maybe there will be some empty rooms around and multiple lets will become less lucrative)!
As for parking in front of your gate and mouthing off when asked to move… sadly some people are just short of manners, decency and consideration!
I also agree with your comments about Thatcham Avenue. The cars on both sides of the road near to the roundabout can cause considerable congestion with traffic queuing at both ends because of lack of passing places.
I expect that the area near to the roundabout is due to be “double-yellowed” when the road becomes part of the bus route.
—————
Edit March 14th
I noticed today that there are already double yellow lines along the start of Thatcham Avenue… They’re not very obvious (which – I guess – is why eveybody is ignoring them – lol)…
Just goes to show how often I get out
March 11th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Thatcham,
As a matter of interest how did you sell your house in the end if you dont mind me asking? I am in a similar situation with parking restrictions now in force outside house and am concerned about the possible affects on my house value / re-sale potential.
Did you have to sell at a loss, wait much longer or possibly something else? any info much appreciated.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
We live in Valley Gardens(since Jan 2006) and have been battling with the builders opposite (George Wimpey/Laing) for some time now. Parking and driving on pavements, 8 lorries at a time blocking the road, rubbish in the garden, foul language, nails in tyres, mud all over the roads and pavements, starting work at 7.15am, you name it, we’ve had to put up with it.
We tried speaking to them directly but were told that as we were not their customer, it wasn’t their problem- charming!
We contacted Parmjit Dhanda (Labour MP) who forwarded our concerns to Andy Hunter (he works for QUVL) who began to put things into action. Road sweepers now clean the road everyday instead of the 2 times a week they used to.
By our own doing, we now have very regular contact with ‘powers that be’ in the planning department of the city council. They have asked that we take photos of the builders breaking regulations and e-mail to them so that they can collect as much evidence as possible to ‘take further action’ against the builders.
We’ve discovered that builders don’t like having their photo taken as much as we don’t like disruption outside our home!! So this seems to be working at little. It seems that the more people who are complaining the more something is starting to be done about it.
We thought people should know the contact details for the relevant people as it was far from easy to get through to the right person.
Details are:
- Andy Hunter (QUVL) 07786 251390
- Andy Birchley (Gloucester City Council Planning department enforcement officer) 01452 522232 / Andy.Birchley@gloucester.gov.uk
- Martyn White (city councillor,as detailed in this month’s quedgeley news) 01452 831681 / martynw@gloucester.gov.uk
These guys are very easy to deal with but they need lots of people ringing/e-mailing to get the problem sorted.
It feels now that the builders are trying to intimidate us because we have been complaining – why should we feel this way when we aren’t the ones breaking the rules?
We can’t wait for September when the builders leave so that our home will be the place we had hoped it would be everyday of the week not just Sundays when the builders are not around!
March 13th, 2008 at 5:29 am
Hi carpo18mav,
Welcome to the site and thank you for posting these details.
It sounds like you’ve been having a bad time of it… seems a little sad to me (whatever happened to “After-Sales Service”)?
I’ve made a new post to draw attention to these issues and to your comment.
I hope you will get plenty of support
March 14th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Wow! Thanks for adding my comments on the home page! I hate to sound a misery guts!!
We had fairly good after sales service from Persimmon (who we bought from) but they aren’t the problem as they have moved on.
As the Laing site manager told me I wasn’t their customer, he said it wasn’t his problem. Is there anyone on Kingsway who purchased a home from Laing / George Wimpey that is having the same problem as us? If so, what did the site managers say when you approached them? It would be interesting to know if they really do care about their own direct customers?
March 14th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
You’re welcome.
It sounds as if you have good reason to sound miserable
Our house was built by Bryant, they were excellent (before, during and after) so I’m afraid I can’t help. I hope somebody else can
March 16th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Hi,
I agree the mud on the roads in the area is terrible.
But my gripe is with Barratt, these cowboys must have the worst team of builders working for them. Along with others in our street (3 houses that we’ve talked to) have had numerous instances of just downright shabby workmanship. We moved in 9 months ago, and are still awaiting resolution of certain issues.
Not only would I never recommend Barratt’s to anybody, I would go as far as actually advising people not to buy from them!
March 28th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Hi all
With regard to parking in Woodvale, I live in the furthest part of Woodvale (number 127) and will really welcome the double yellow lines when they are added. People park in a very inconsiderate manner and I would far rather have lines outside my house to stop this, than not. I can’t comment about the effect on house prices but from personal experience I would always incline towards a house with the lines if on a main road to avoid the banging doors and shouting that come with having open parking facilities.
My house is on the sausage shaped island and people persist in parking right on the pavement where the island is. That means we cannot get out of the front of our house!!
With regard to the mud, well, we all knew we were moving to a building site! David Wilson Homes advised us when we moved in that the blacktop on the parking at the rear and the pavements at the front should be complete by the end of March, although this isn’t currently looking likely. But if we weren’t prepared to contend with mud we would have moved somewhere where there isn’t any!
On another point entirely, if there is to be a residents association I would be pleased to be involved, and Clive, I am leafleting the village shortly for a fledgling business I am trying to get off the ground, and would be glad to drop your leaflets at the same time. No sense in us both getting sore legs!
Regards to all
Clare
March 30th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Hi Clare,
The parking by the “sausage shaped island” was a real pain before the lines appeared.
I haven’t heard anything about a Residents Association but I’ll make enquiries.
Re leaflets and your business: I sent you two emails on Friday about this. If you didn’t get them please let me know and I’ll re-send them.
Regards,
Clive
April 9th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Hi Clare,
On the subject of the Residents Association, I’ve managed to get some info’ and have created a new post about it here.
Hi carpo18mav,
On the subject of your post (March 12th) I’ve added a comment about it here.
May 16th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
What I have noticed is that most of the drains are blocked and I’m wondering if – when winter comes and all the rain – will the roads flood?
May 16th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Hi darrjeff,
Thanks for posting
The drains have seemed that way for a while now, but we survived last summer’s deluge and a few winters without any flooding (that I’ve noticed – lol)!
Let’s hope we don’t have any problems; once the rain covers over the lines we’ll be dodging puddles and parked cars
May 29th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I would imagine that Woodvale is more attractive to buyers than Thatcham Avenue – the road is clear, it looks attractive and you can drive along it clearly seeing pedestrians. All this provides a better and safer environment. (Apart from the destroyed wall, of course!).
I wonder how the potential buyers for phase 2 and 3 feel, having to negotiate their way along Thatcham Avenue, almost crashing into illegally parked cars on roundabouts and noticing the (ignored) double yellow lines. I would imagine most would question buying in an area full of inconsiderate people who pay no notice to road signs.
When the yellow lines were first painted, the road was clear and the cars moved to their proper spaces adjacent to the homes.
I agree that the rental houses create more cars, but part of their rental agreement includes car parking – if the agreement does not mention car spaces then there is no car parking. Either negotiate with your landlord, for additional cost, or rent another property. If a landlord is renting a 3 bed house with 2 car spaces but promising car parking for all residents then ask for a rent reduction.
Equally, if a house has parking for 2 cars then this would be clearly indicated when buying. Do the same people move in and suddenly realise that they wanted 3 bedrooms but only bought 2 instead? Of course not.
Parking illegally is wrong, dangerous and cancels your car insurance. If your car is damaged whilst illegally parked, the owner will be paying for their own car repair as well as the car that causes the damage out of their own pockets.
The main triangle of roads through Kingsway should be double yellow lined, opened as a bus route and cleared of dangerously parked cars before someone is killed.