Parking on Hartshead estate

Parking on Hartshead estate

Dear Residents,

We have been made aware of a recent Facebook post regarding parking on the Hartshead Estate and would like to clarify a number of points.

Firstly, vehicles causing an obstruction are a police matter, as we have stated on numerous occasions. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of an incident you have reported, you are entitled to make a complaint to Greater Manchester Police through the appropriate channels.

We continue to encourage residents to report incidents to us. Whilst parking itself is not generally a police matter, we do have powers where a vehicle is causing an unnecessary obstruction. For police action to be considered, the obstruction must be occurring at the time it is reported. For example, if you are unable to pass safely on the pavement and are forced to walk into the road because of a parked vehicle, this may constitute an obstruction.

When attending these incidents, our priority is always to remove the obstruction as quickly as possible. In most cases, we will make enquiries to identify and contact the registered keeper and ask them to move the vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the obstruction is resolved. Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) and vehicle removals remain options available to us but are generally used where appropriate and as a last resort.

However, where the same vehicles continue to cause repeated and persistent obstructions, enforcement action will be considered. Warnings have already been given, and Traffic Offence Reports may be issued where necessary.

It is important to understand that just because an incident has been closed does not mean the Neighbourhood Team is unaware of it or has ignored it. We review all incident logs relating to the Hurst Ward and monitor the issues residents are reporting.

The Hartshead Estate forms only one part of the Hurst Ward. Our team is responsible for policing an area covering around 4,760 households and over 16,800 residents, with a team of three officers . 

Whilst parking and obstruction issues may be a significant concern to some residents, they are one of many demands placed upon the team each day. We will continue to address these issues whenever possible, but we cannot be present on the estate throughout every shift.

We do patrol the Hartshead Estate regularly, but residents should be aware that we also have responsibilities across the wider ward and must respond to a variety of community concerns and policing priorities.

The team was on the estate this morning assessing parking and driving concerns. We spoke with and provided advice to a number of drivers and residents.

We attended the upper end of the estate and found no vehicles causing unnecessary obstruction on Winchester Avenue or Lichfield Avenue.

We also visited the area between Holden Clough School and Carlisle Crescent, where the majority of vehicles causing obstruction were those belonging to local residents.

For context, we only needed to speak with one parent who was dropping off a child at Holden Clough School.

Several residents have raised concerns about the lack of available parking and have asked where they are expected to park, particularly where parking fully on the road can restrict access for larger vehicles. Whilst we understand these challenges, drivers remain responsible for ensuring that their vehicle is parked legally and safely.

Where residents choose to park partly on the pavement, they must ensure there is sufficient space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs and pedestrians to pass safely. If this cannot be achieved, and parking elsewhere creates an obstruction, alternative lawful parking arrangements must be found.

Residents should also be aware that they do not have ownership of the road or pavement outside their property. If there is insufficient space on a driveway or in the immediate vicinity, unfortunately alternative parking locations may need to be considered.

We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action where vehicles are found to be causing unnecessary obstructions.

If anybody has any questions about any of the information above you can reply to this Bee in the Loop message and a member of the team will reply.

Regards

The Ashton Hurst Neighbourhood Policing team