Harefield man could be fined for parking on his own driveway

Maciej Gawlik, who has lived on Mansfield Park Street for eight years, has been issued the warning by Southampton City Council parking wardens.

He claims at least two of his neighbours have already had fines for parking on their own driveways and residents of the street, which was painted with double yellow lines three years ago, say they feel wardens are targeting the area.

They say they have observed as many as two wardens issuing tickets in the area on the same day.

Yellow lines are painted all the way through Mansfield Park Street (Image: NQ) READ MORE: 'I've been told I can't park on my driveway - or I'll be fined'

Maciej, 43, said that his next-door neighbour was fined because the tyre of their car, parked on the driveway, just touched the yellow lines.

He said he could not use his garage due to his car not fitting inside - and many households with multiple vehicles were forced to risk using their driveways too.

He added: "Despite this being a new development, with may first time buyers with growing families, the garages and driveways have all been built too small.

"No thought has been given to the fact we will need family cars."

Maciej added he was told by a parking warden that he would be fined if his car was parked on his driveway but overhanging the double yellow lines.

Maciej said: “It’s outrageous – so many of the people here have had to downsize their cars just so that they can fit them on their driveway.

“We have families with five children and they are being squeezed into a tiny Ford Fiesta – all because the council think they can come and make a bit of fast cash.”

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Residents say they have been served £30 parking charges, which if not paid within two weeks, will be increased to £70.

Mansfield Park Street resident of eight years, Kelly Taylor, 34, added: “It's ridiculous. We have absolutely no space for visitors either – one person can’t even visit his mum with cancer because there are no spaces.

“Another resident just had a hip replacement so parked just outside the door to his flat and was fined – we are being targeted.”

If parked overhanging the yellow lines residents risk being fined (Image: NQ) Most of the estate has been painted with double yellow lines which have been painted on to prevent emergency vehicles being blocked.

Resident, Natasha Harding, 37, added: “We have an area of wasted green space next to our flat – we approached the council to see if we could buy it and make it another parking space.

“We were instantly shut down by the council.”

While the flats above had allocated spaces and were less at risk of fines, they were still up in arms about the lack of parking.

In response to the resident's complaints, Councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for environment and transport said: "Double yellow lines are used to enable the free flow of vehicles, especially emergency vehicles and service vehicles, in any particular area.

"Residents can request a review of the parking restrictions in their area through the form on our website. 

"Drivers who receive a Penalty Charge Notice are entitled to submit an appeal on our website."