For several years residents of the Bailgate and Chapel Lane, Lincoln have lobbied the Lincolnshire County Council to establish a residents parking scheme for the area. The instigation of similar schemes in all the areas surrounding the Bailgate has resulted in much diminished number of parking available to residents who now are having to park their cars up to a mile away from their homes. Not an ideal situation in any circumstances but less so when trying to carry out normal daily routines such as unloading shopping.

However, the Council has finally come up with a proposal that takes into account the needs of residents and those of local business owners alike. It will maintain the existing one hour limited parking zone but will combine it with residents permits. This will allow residents to stay beyond the one hour limit. In addition it will allow residents to use the numerous pay and display car parks available in Bailgate/Westgate area should spaces not be available on street. The area will include Chapel Lane and the Bailgate between Newport Arch and Westgate in which the vast majority of premises are private residences rather than businesses. The remainder of the Bailgate and Eastgate will not be included in the permitted zone.

As residents we feel this is a good compromise accommodating the needs of all concerned. It is being suggested by business interests that residents will be occupying the available parking spaces all day long. Nothing could be further from the truth. The majority of residents are at their respective places of work during business hours along with their vehicles. Also it should be noted that there are four large pay and display car parks within a stone’s throw of the Bailgate. As residents we are simply asking to be able to park within a reasonable distance of our homes, aright afforded to all other Lincoln residents. It is the mix of residential and business properties that give the Bailgate its “village within the city” feel and would ask you sign this petition to maintain this balance between the needs of business and those of local residents.