Calls to curb parking with more yellow lines

DOUBLE yellow lines could be installed on a busy route out of Portishead to help ease traffic congestion.

Portishead Town Council is recommending double yellow lines are installed on both sides of Harbour Road following complaints from residents.

Councillors are recommending the lines are put in on the northern side of Harbour Road from the bus shelter at Parish Wharf and beyond Bottelinos restaurant.

They are also asking for double yellow lines to be installed on the south side of Harbour Road from the bus shelter to 30 metres beyond its junction with the Waitrose car park.

Councillors have also asked for lines on a 30-metre stretch each side of Harbour Road approaching the Phoenix Way and Quays Avenue roundabout.

The move follows increasing concern about parking congestion along the road – a busy route out of Portishead to the new housing developments.

People also use Harbour Road to avoid the traffic lights at Wyndham Way to get to the Portbury Hundreds and the A369.

The move to put yellow lines on the road had previously been held up as the route had yet to be formally adopted by North Somerset Council.

The road, built as part of the new housing developments as a second access out of the town, was officially adopted by the highways authority in the spring.

Residents and councillors have been calling for restrictions to be put in place for several years to ease congestion. People often leave their cars parked on Harbour Road to visit restaurants and bars in the area.

There are concerns that the situation will get worse when the new Travelodge and Lidl supermarket open and all of the marina developments are complete.

North Somerset Council launched a review of all its traffic regulation orders across the district earlier this year.

Town and parish councils were asked to suggest where new orders and regulations, including double yellow lines, should be introduced.

Portishead Town Council chairman Councillor Arthur Terry said: "We are trying to deal with the safety issues of parking along Harbour Road that have been identified to us, without banning parking along the whole of Harbour Road.

"We are not trying to ban car parking along Harbour Road in its entirety but are trying to achieve some control about parking in certain areas, which will improve safety for pedestrians and motorists.

"At the moment the parked cars help to reduce the speed of traffic along the route.

"We do not want to open it up as a free way, which could mean the speed of traffic will increase."

North Somerset Council spokesman Nick Yates said: "We need to look at the recommendations put forward by the town council and decide whether double yellow lines are appropriate for the area."