Action plea: dangerous parking and 'nightmare' junction in Cockermouth

Town and borough councillors and the town's new Cumberland Council representatives were at the Annual Parish Meeting in the town hall.

The Annual Parish Meeting in Cockermouth Town Hall (Image: Newsquest)

Resident Jim Hully asked: "What have our county councillors done regarding parking vehicles in the centre of Main Street, vehicles parking fish bone in Market Place and the safety of our public using crossings?"

He expressed his disgust that neither of the county councillors were in attendance at the meeting.

"The Traffic Regulation Order we were promised seven years ago has not materialised," said Mr Hully.

"People are parking on the middle of road in Main Street. It's getting out of hand, people park there every day.

"Other road users can't see signs. It needs to be sorted out."

He said the pedestrian crossings in front of The Brown Cow and Wordsworth House are "dangerous". "The lights are dim and you cannot see people on them," he said.

Regarding Market Place, Mr Hully said: "People fishbone park and it's difficult to get round but traffic wardens don't do anything.

"They park on the footpath every day, it's disgusting.

"When we had a meeting about this seven years ago, they promised us a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) but have done nothing about it.

"We need a TRO for Cockermouth and it's going to be up to you. It's got way out of hand."

County Councillor Catherine Bell was not at the meeting but had provided a written response to Mr Hully.

"The parking in the centre of Main Street has been reported to Parking Services. Market Place parking is only an issue if an obstruction occurs. Parking Services are monitoring the situation," she said.

"The safety of the pedestrian crossing has been reported to officers and a Safety Study will take place under the new authority."

Town and borough councillor Alan Smith supported the call for a TRO.

"One good thing about having one authority is they will have the authority to get things done," he said.

He highlighted problems on Kirkgate, which has become busier since the development of Strawberry Grange.

"It's mayhem when roads are closed for events. We need something done at top of Kirkgate," he said.

"Strawberry Grange has had a big effect. It's basically a nightmare."

He said to the Cumberland councillors: "A TRO would certainly sort us out. That's your first priority. It can take two years so needs to be done asap.

"We need a full consultation with town council and also residents.

"It's a big project. They have done Maryport and Silloth but not Cockermouth. We should be top of the list."