Councillor steps in to resolve resolve residents parking peril

A councillor has stepped in to solve a residents’ parking nightmare caused by the construction of a new care home in the Birkdale area of Southport.

Cllr David Barton, who represents Dukes Ward, met with representatives of Leeds-based Jupiter Construction to agree an amicable solution to the problems along Oxford Road.

The contractors are building a care home for Athena Healthcare Group but the work has led to an increase in vehicles parking in the area.

But following a meeting on site it has now been agreed that the vast majority on construction-related parking will be moved away from Oxford Road onto quieter streets such as Westbourne Road where there is a larger carriageway.

Cllr Barton said: “Having been contacted by residents and neighbours I have conducted a site visit and communicated directly with the contractors to get their support for moves to improve the car parking along Oxford Road, namely double-sided car parking, parking too closely to people’s driveways and parking too closely to the corners of Westbourne and Westcliffe Roads.

“I would like to thank the contractors for their swift action and most importantly their respect and sincerity in working to resolve the issues.

“I would also like to remind residents of the importance of working positively and constructively together in order to achieve the best possible outcome.

“I am delighted to see this plot of land on Oxford Road being brought back into occupational use and I am pleased that the designs have incorporated the original style of the building, which was lost to the community back in the early 2010s.

“It is my hope that any further new construction in Southport may also seek to adopt this sympathetic approach towards preserving Southport’s distinctive Victorian heritage and majesty, which continues to grow increasingly popular amongst investors and retailers alike across the town.

“Should anyone have any further car parking concerns within their neighbourhood I would ideally recommend they firstly contact the contractors who are very accommodating and only then, if absolutely necessary, seek the support of the local authority to maintain good healthy peaceful relations between everyone concerned as a matter of simple courtesy and good custom.”