#DorkParking Warning: “We will return the ticket books”
Wellington City Council has pledged to send parking guards to the beaches after a video emerged showing just how erratic parking there is when the sun rises.
Cyclist Alex Dyer filmed his journey from Princess Bay, on the south coast, toward Houghton Bay on Wednesday evening.
The video shows partially parked cars – and in one case, completely – on the pedestrian walkway leaving barely room for pedestrians to press past.
Parents with prams will need to go down the busy road to get around and there is little space for cyclists.
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The problem, Dyer said, is that many people choose to take their cars to the beach rather than having space for passengers. The video was posted on Twitter, where the stand has been named “#dorkParking”.
Alex Dyer / Stuff
A row of cars on the sidewalk in Wellington Princess Bay.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard McLean said the guards had not issued tickets to Princess Bay recently, but that the council had been aware of the issue and would send out prison guards if Wellington got another sunny day and the bad parking lot returned.
“We’ll be back with the ticket books.”
He said parking cars on the pedestrian path along this stretch were “extremely dangerous” and it would be difficult to put pressure on families who had gone by without walking on the busy road.
Alex Dyer / Stuff
Cars parked on the pedestrian walkway in Wellington Princess Bay left little or no space for pedestrians.
The council posted on Facebook urging people to avoid parking on pedestrian paths.
“Our parking staff will be outside and for the popular sunspot buildup to make sure everyone stands safely and keep footpaths clear for pedestrians, people with mobility problems and families with prams outside to enjoy the warm weather.”
South Wing Council member Fleur Fitzsimons said it is understood that people want to stand close to the beach, “but pedestrian walkways are for pedestrians including those with prams and wheelchairs.”
Safety should be the priority.
“It helps that the residents raise this issue so that the traffic engineers on the council can consider the best options, and I look forward to seeing what their advice is.”