4 September (Part 1) - Commuters on wheels
Tomorrow
is the last commuting day when drivers will be free to inconsiderately block the roads of
Belvedere (Fossington Road to St. Augustine’s Road approximately) at will.
Conway (Bexley’s lighting and yellow line contractor) was out from around 08:30
yesterday uncovering the signs that were still blacked out and erecting
those that they missed two weeks ago.
So far they have not fixed the incomplete yellow lines. (Photo 1.)
It probably is a good idea to indicate that the private parking areas are not
subject to the CPZ (Photo 2) as I have encountered residents who thought otherwise. Then I
suppose it follows that they must be reminded when they leave home again (Photo
3) but the
same logic dictates that everyone’s drive should be festooned with ugly signs.
Fortunately Bexley’s Highways Department may be silly but not that silly!
The
parking restrictions which do not come into force until next Monday have
already had an effect, Most days recently my road has had spare spaces all day. Maybe
that’s because commuters are increasingly parking on private property. (Photo
4.)
This new CPZ numbered AW1 appears to be very poorly thought out. The cul-de-sac
which is the mirror image of mine (Samson Close) has a complete circle of double yellow lines.
The Western end of Coptefield Drive is only half lined and others not at all.
In other indications that CPZ AW1 is something of a bodge job, further
inconsistencies provide more traps for unwary motorists, Too often that is what road
traffic regulations are all about.
If one drives towards the new CPZ from Abbey Wood one first passes the
long existing AW CPZ
exit sign. (Photo 5.) Then on the left one might see two AW1 entry signs (Photo
6. Carrill Way, Carill Way or whatever it is today) but if one turns
right into Elstree Gardens one enters CPZ AW1 without any warning whatsoever.
Photo 7.) Yet it is clearly part of a CPZ. (Photo 8.)
Click any image for a larger view.