Published: Saturday, 6th February, 2010 8:00am

Tyres slashed in parking war

Comments (2) | Print | Email

A MYSTERY tyre slasher has been criticised for waging war on commuters.

One woman who parks her car on residential roads surrounding Martin's Heron railway station has been the victim of a tyre slasher three times in three weeks.

A dispute between residents claiming their roads are being over-run with commuters parking their cars outside homes has been ongoing for some time.

Police say they have stepped up patrols, but residents feel nobody is monitoring the situation.

The woman's husband, who did not want to be named, said: "We know the locals are groaning about cars being parked there. Somebody has taken the law into their own hands. Somebody is waging war down there."

He added: "This is criminal damage. It has gone too far."

The damage was reported to police who say they are also working with the council and Neighbourhood Action Group to find a longer-term solution.

PC Oliver Neale, neighbourhood specialist officer for Martin's Heron, The Warren and Harmans Water, said: "I am aware of this report of criminal damage, which is currently under investigation.

"Residents have raised concerns and the neighbourhood team patrols the area as much as possible. If vehicles are causing an obstruction, then drivers can expect to receive a fixed penalty notice."

Commuters catching the train used to park in Tesco before the supermarket expanded onto the parking spaces and they must now find spaces on surrounding roads.

Residents have also voiced concerns about the lack of parking enforcements around the area, with commuters regularly parking on the yellow and double yellow lines.

Some neighbours were opting to have their driveways widened to cope with the parking issues.

Vernon Kukla, 49, of Setley Way, said: "There are some people who get angrier than others. It is when people park across the drives. I think it is wrong to park all day in front of someone's drive. It is just rude."

Neighbour Josie Oliver, 54, of Setley Way, said: "It is a real nuisance, and if you have visitors come in the morning they cannot park. But there is not really much you can do."