NEWCASTLE – Parking in Newcastle has become a nightmare for motorists.
The Advertiser has been inundated with complaints from residents, who said finding a parking spot in the CBD was all but impossible.
Businessman, Yusuf Moosa said parking was certainly being abused.
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He explained it was difficult to do business in the CBD, given how some parked their vehicles in front of his shop all day.
This made it hard for clients to visit his shop conveniently.
“Our parking lot is quite safe, so it gets filled up. The problem is my business relies on customer convenience.”
Mr Moosa has pursued various avenues to rectify the matter, including political parties, his landlord and even a lawyer.
“It’s the whole of Newcastle; you can’t visit shops and have to park far away and walk. Why must it be such an effort?”
Traffic Chief, Ashok Anandhaw acknowledged the lack of parking meters, stating the conventional meter and accompanying by-laws were derelict.
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However, motorists were compelled to obey the National Road Traffic Laws.
“They cannot park longer in a parking bay than the time prescribed on the boards. Areas have a maximum of 30, 45 or 60 minute restrictions.”
With technological advances in parking management systems, and the advantages of increased job opportunities, Mr Anandhaw said the municipality had to redraft its by-laws to accommodate as such.
When the legislation is promulgated, only then can a new system be implemented.
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Mr Anandhaw also reiterated there were no longer parking meters in town, after they were removed by a service provider.
“However law enforcement continues in terms of the unlawful parking. If there are meters that were not removed from a specific area, please inform Protection Services on 034 328 4700.”
The bins dotted around the CBD have also caught the public’s attention, almost six years after they were installed.
Residents reported some damaged, prompting an investigation by the Advertiser.
A specific instance saw three children using the bins at the corner of Sutherland and Terminus streets as a playground.
These children claimed to be waiting for their parents, who were at a nearby clinic.
Dr Thava Kelly, from the Community Service Department’s Waste Management division, responded there was no maintenance budget for the structure of the bins.
However, staff cleaned out the bins on a regular basis.
“The community should avoid setting these bins alight and businesses should avoid abusing these bins.”
