Clamp may be only answer to Sidmouth parking problem

FRUSTRATED Sidmouth Health Centre staff say enforcing a clamping system at their car park may be the only way to prevent inconsiderate drivers from using it.

Only health centre patients and library users are allowed to use the car park at Blackmore Drive for the maximum one hour period, but 'selfish' motorists often park there all day.

The car park belongs to East Devon District Council but is leased to Devon County Council, which had a management agreement with the health centre.

There have been many suggestions over the years to remedy this on-going dilemma but Rob Spargo, practice manager, fears he may have to resort to clamping.

He said: "The problem is really caused by people who selfishly park in this car park when they are not visiting the library or the health centre.

"Certainly the people who park there all day whilst at work are really causing major problems.

"They should consider all patients but particularly think about how it affects the elderly, disabled and those with young children who are unable to park and then struggle to make it to appointments on time. This obviously causes them considerable stress."

Herald reader Louise Buckingham, of Manstone Lane, suggested installing a barrier.

She said: "On making an appointment at the surgery you could be given a code number for that particular day, which would give you access to the car park."

But Mr Spargo said this system would perhaps be too costly and may generate more man-power, which the centre is unable to provide.

He added: "The suggested barrier system with access code to change daily would probably be very expensive and it would not allow access to library users.

"If the problem continues it may be necessary to enforce the present clamping system. "The answer is really for people to be considerate and responsible and only park in that car park when visiting the health centre or library and not abuse the system by parking there all day.