Update July 2026

To all residents and signatories of the petition, 
Kindly share the link to the petition. 
https://c.org/2tMX8qv4N9 

We thought we would write an update on recent discussions held.  

Jesse Norman's office has gone quiet. Polly Andrews keeps saying she has tried everything despite attending one meeting in two years and making extremely unhelpful suggestions in aiding a better system. She seems unwilling to help. She also abruptly hung up on the last few calls, even though she called us back at her convenience, stating she had to visit someone in the hospital and her cat was on her lap, where she was otherwise occupied instead of listening to any suggestions we were trying to put forward. Despite multiple residents asking her to listen, she seemed to have no room to listen. 

Our last resort is to speak to the road management team. We had a productive call with them last time, and they could see exactly some of the pointers raised and promised they would look into this. Upon chasing them, we have had no response other than a statement that the lady was on annual leave for one week,and she has not gotten back to us since June 5, 2026. We will follow up with her again in July. Despite direct contact stating that she would look into finding ways and more into past lines and where they were painted and could be removed, residents brought to our attention that the yellow line on the opposite side of the road had been painted in some areas where, in the beginning, they hadn't been, like the turning point at the end of the road, which aided more parking spaces.  

Upon discussing the matter and asking them to look into lifting the double yellow lines between No. 1 and No. 5 Canonmoor, which they have done, they have further painted a line that has aided them in issuing and profiting from parking fine tickets. This has not generated any more spaces; in fact, it has made it more difficult for residents due to there not being enough parking spaces. They have mentioned that if people from 24 onwards wished to have a driveway, they could, and then the council would have to do something about improving the system. However, they haven't got the funds to do anything largely right at this time.  

After asking for supporting letters from residents last time, we only received one letter. We are pleading with all residents to push this petition and asking all their visitors and family and friends to sign it, as well as sending in supporting letters to plead with the council to listen to change down Canonmoor Street. 

We are asking for more spaces down by the Richmond club, more spaces in the turning point at the end of the road, such as a car park with bushes lifted to generate more spaces, the one-hour time slot lifted in Shinwell Road, and parking bays to be generated on the other side of the road, allowing all houses to have a driveway should they wish. The Highways officer, Callum Bush, unfortunately, Callum, who has resigned now, has made it extremely difficult for us to pick up where we left off, as there is currently no one in his place, bar a temp position.. Callum who attended the meeting, was up for this big change and willing to meet us; however, in Polly's address notices, she did not make it clear to residents how this part would plan out. 
Piolly did not make it clear they would make pavements wider on Canonmoor Street from 1 to 13, and the other side of the road would be made shorter, allowing them to still have driveways. The road width would still be the same. We also asked for two visitor permits for any households who drive work cars or different cars, to have the same amount of equal permits: one registration permit and one visitor permit, allowing them the freedom to have a visitor should they be driving another car, which you can't do currently, and some people are restricted from having visitors or workmen and a visitor st the same time. Widening the pavement would also allow us areas to place our bins, wash and clean our cars, and aid future electric cars, possibly in the future. This was not explained clearly; however, the council is avoiding this at all costs due to funds, as this then apparently becomes a £60,000 project, over just moving a few painted lines.  

However, the council had paid for the footpath to be redone, as well as bike lanes. In our view, this was wasted money when it could be spent better elsewhere.  

Polly Andrews has made it publicly known that she was the one who pushed for retarmacing the footpath attached to Canonmoor Street, yet she refuses to see any points or help. She mentioned that if we arranged a meeting, she would attend, but she would not be willing to arrange it herself. In our view, as much as we are trying to obtain a mutual understanding, we feel that with all our discussions with her, she does not seem to care. Even down to residents making suggestions about the courtyard and football club, when they have something on, they park in our bays. She was more focused on not lifting the one-hour time due to carers being allowed to park there. One resident made a good suggestion: why can't the carers arrange to park in Henfford Gardens or Great Western Court instead of taking our spaces?  

As well as lifting the one-hour time limit in Shinwell Road, Polly Andrews also mentioned she would look at this signage back in 2025 and seems to have forgotten she even suggested this. Upon reminding her, Polly Andrews just kept saying she would come to a meeting if we arranged it, but she is not arranging it and she has done all she can. As our Counsellor, we were left with no faith in her support in helping us. Just as Jesse Norman said this is out of their remit, they aided us in the first and only one meeting, but their hands were pretty much tied and they couldn't do much more. Since then, they have gone completely quiet and are not responding to emails.  

To Summerise:
Residents are updating on their petition progress.  

• Jesse Norman's office is unresponsive, and Polly Andrews is unhelpful.  

• The road management team was initially productive but is now unresponsive and has painted new yellow lines, reducing parking spaces and more profiteering.   

• They propose that residents could establish driveways, which would then necessitate further action.  

• We received only one letter of support in response to our recent requests, and we require additional contributions from residents.  

• Residents are urged to sign the petition and send letters.  

• They propose specific parking solutions, including a car park, lifting time restrictions, and creating parking bays, which Callum Bush supports, though Polly Andrews' communication is unclear. Regrettably, his departure from his position has created considerable challenges in resuming our previous progress, necessitating a complete fresh start. Revising the permit system.  

• Residents propose widening pavements on Canonmoor Street, keeping the overall road width the same, and increasing visitor parking bays from house numbers 1-17 (17 houses), generating more parking bays from its current status of approximately 10 to 11 spaces from house numbers 23-30 (7 houses).  

• We have observed that there are currently significant spaces in the parking area, and vehicles are not consistently parked within the designated lines. We would like to suggest the implementation of additional parking bays or lines to assist individuals in parking more effectively. To avoid leaving unnecessary gaps in the bays, which occurs frequently. Furthermore, we propose informing residents that they are permitted to park outside their driveways, which may help alleviate the use of our designated parking spaces.  

• Residents have expressed their disapproval of the council's expenditure on footpaths and bicycle lanes, feeling that their own concerns have been overlooked.  

• Residents also express frustration with Councillor Polly Andrews for her perceived lack of support and responsiveness regarding parking issues and other suggestions, despite her public claims of advocacy, and that of Jesse Norman's office.  

• We would be pleased to offer our support in preparing for a meeting, including any letters or documents that may be beneficial, along with our perspectives and recommendations.  

• We are now seeking community support through signatures and letters to petition for changes and suggestions.  

• We are inquiring if individuals would be interested in scheduling a meeting to propose suggestions for enhancing the parking system and addressing current parking challenges. 

• We kindly request all residents to disseminate the petition to gather additional signatures and submit further letters of support detailing their parking challenges and proposed solutions for systemic improvements. 

So, again, we are asking for all supporting letters and all signatures from family, friends, workers, and all visitors that visit you in Canonmoor Street to sign this petition, as well as supporting letters to be sent to us. If there are any further suggestions, please feel free to email us: 

 Diversityteam-wmc@outlook.com 

🙏Please🙏 help us in changing the system. Send us all your difficulties in parking and suggestions for bettering the system and change. 

Kindly share the link to the petition. 
https://c.org/2tMX8qv4N9