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Editorial

Where do You Read Yours

Selfish Parker

EDITORIAL

Here we are at the end of another year and the beginning of a new one. Looking back on 2005 we have had the usual disasters on the A14, the village has been traffic calmed, and we have seen the opening of the new Play Area on the green and also a new library/music room at the Primary school. Looking ahead to 2006 I can confidently predict that The Meridian will reach its 100th issue! Thanks to the initiative and insight of a few people at the beginning Swavesey has a village magazine that is proud to serve the whole community so we thank them for their enterprise.

And talking of community don’t forget we like to have your articles, your news, your letters and comments so how about making a new year resolution to contribute something to The Meridian in 2006? Just take note of the deadlines - the deadline for the February/March issue is 27th December!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Ed

WHERE DO YOU READ YOURS?

Are You a Selfish Parker? 

One of the things that the Parish Council gets a lot of complaints about is parking and the problems it causes to other road users and residents. Now some houses do not have anywhere else to park so have to park on the road but increasingly drivers who do have off road parking and garages choose not to use this space and prefer to park on the road. No doubt they have their reasons but maybe they do not realise the difficulties and potential dangers that their selfishness can cause.

First, cars parked in residential roads that are already quite narrow restrict the passageway even further. The average family car can pass with care but what about an ambulance? Or a fire engine on an emergency call? There was a case in Cambridge where the ambulance crew had to run from their ambulance to a patient’s house carrying their equipment because someone had parked and obstructed the road.

Suppose it was you or a family member who was in desperate need of help and this could not get to you because someone had parked in the way?

Second cars parked in residential roads severely restrict the vision of anyone driving down the road and also for residents driving onto the road from their driveways. Do you want to be morally responsible for someone having an accident because they could not see round your parked vehicle? In law the driver of the car pulling out is responsible for making sure the road is clear but how many of us have a passenger who can see us out every time we wish to drive onto the road? Would your employer be happy if you were late for work every day because you could not see to get onto the road and had to wait until you could?

Third, there is the danger that parked cars present to pedestrians and cyclists. If there is no pavement pedestrians have to walk in the road to get round, cyclists have to cycle in the middle of the road, again in a narrow road this is risky, especially with the college pupils being encouraged to cycle to school and dark mornings and evenings. A driver may not be able to see that child on the side of the road who may run out without warning, may not be expecting a cyclist to suddenly appear from behind a parked car on the opposite side of the road. Yes drivers are careful and aware of potential hazards but cannot have eyes everywhere and is it fair to expect them to be almost superhuman? IT COULD BE YOUR CHILD WHO IS KNOCKED DOWN!

So next time you park your vehicle perhaps you could take a minute to think, could you park in your drive? Are you parking in such a way as to obstruct the view of the road for anyone else?

Don’t be a Selfish Parker, be considerate.