Parking issue in Great Cornard to be resolved in long-term, says district council

Great Cornard resident Nikki Googe says she has received a positive response from Babergh District Council to improve and provide more car parking.

Mrs Googe, along with fellow resident Julia Dalley, organised a public meeting at The Stevenson Centre over unrest that has continued to build over a lack of parking in residential areas such as Hartest Way, Shelley Avenue, Kersey Avenue and Lindsey Avenue.

Although council representatives did not attend the meeting as expected, Mrs Googe said the council had written to her committing its support to ease problems which have, in the past, resulted in verbal abuse and threatening behaviour from some residents, she said.

Mrs Googe said: “The meeting went very well. I think it was very positive. About 60 people came and, as anticipated, there were many issues voiced.

“I think it was disappointing that no-one from the council came along, but I’ve had a couple of emails from the council and they have confirmed they are aware of the problems and are going to provide more spaces.”

In an email to Mrs Googe, Gavin Fisk, Babergh’s assistant director of housing, said that since residents had raised issues, council leader John Ward and colleague Jan Osborne, portfolio holder for housing, were exploring current parking provision across all estates.

Mr Fisk said: “We expect this work to lead to a programme of future long-term parking improvements. However, you will understand that improvements and changes cannot be made overnight. We are also in the process of recruiting a resident engagement officer post which, in the long term, will aspire to work with tenants and communities.”

He went on to say that council officers were unable to attend the public meeting last week because a “large number of staff were unavailable due to a long-standing event being held that evening.”

He added: “However, beyond your meeting, I would expect that, as we progress opportunities to develop long-term solutions to the matters you raise, we will be able to work with a cohort of residents, partner organisations and local ward members.”

Mrs Googe said another email from Cllr Ward acknowledged the parking issues, saying there had been many complaints about unsightly grass areas.