Carer for disabled sister hits out at Doncaster Council for implementing on-street parking ban

A family carer has hit out at Doncaster Council for implementing new restrictions which bans residents from parking on their own road.
Keith Parker, pictured with his sister Ann Yeardley. Picture: Doncaster Free Press/Marie CaleyKeith Parker, pictured with his sister Ann Yeardley. Picture: Doncaster Free Press/Marie Caley
Keith Parker, pictured with his sister Ann Yeardley. Picture: Doncaster Free Press/Marie Caley

Ann Yeardley, who suffered a brain haemorrhage more than 20 years ago, suffers from 'stroke-like' effects and has severely reduced mobility.

Her brother, Keith Parker, has looked after her since 1996 and claims the new restrictions stop him and other family members accessing her home on Beverly Road at any point during the day.

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Council bosses slapped single yellow lined restrictions on nine roads in Wheatley close to Doncaster Royal Infirmary which bans people parking between the hours of 10am and 3pm.

Highways chiefs claim it was in response to complaints about the high levels of NHS staff parking on roads close to the hospital. They add the scheme will keep pedestrians safer.

More than 180 residents were sent a postal survey through the door and council bosses claim '95 per cent agreed' with the plans.

But 90 per cent didn't even respond and documents show 11 households opposed it with seven supporting.

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"This is detrimental to my sister's well being and health," said Mr Parker, aged 68, of Kirk Sandall.

"Her mobility is very much reduced now and we need to have access 24/7 for when she presses her buzzer so we can respond.

Mr Parker admitted the hospital parking situation is a 'problem' but added the school across the road causes more issues. He's called on the council to think again.

"When 170 or so cars turn up at 8am and at 3pm the same day, there is no access at all. She could be dying on the floor inside and we wouldn't be able to get access.

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"We're not saying the school shouldn't have the ability to able to drop the kids off but this really is a problem and we have to avoid hospital appointments or anything that fit in with what's happening on the street and we have done for years."

Mr Parker is calling for parking permits for residents along the roads to stop the migratory parking from the hospital and solve the problems at peak school times.

But Doncaster Council highways bosses said a permit scheme 'cannot be installed' as the road is 'not wide enough'.

Ms Yeardley, a former secretary at Bradford University before suffering the brain haemorrhage, said: "It makes me feel rubbish, because people might not be able to help me if they can't park.

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"If I fall down on the floor, they won't be able to come until they are allowed to come to me.

Asked what message she has for the council, Ms Yeardley said: "I wouldn't know what I'd say to the council because it wouldn't be repeated," she said.

"If someone from the council was in front of me, I couldn't say anything - they wouldn't understand me because I can't speak properly and it's all because of this accident I've had in the back of my head. It's not my fault at all."

Lee Garrett, head of waste and highways infrastructure at Doncaster Council, said: “The parking restrictions have been introduced for the benefit of local residents and other road users who have complained about the excessive number of vehicles parked on the streets near the hospital which have blocked drives and restricted traffic movements. Due to the narrow streets vehicles have also been parking on the pavement putting pedestrians at risk.

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“We would advise residents to use appropriate off road parking and where off-street parking is not available they could consider creating off-road parking in the form of a driveway or alternatively find parking on a nearby street without parking restrictions. The same advice is also offered to carers attending residents with no off-street parking. Ultimately the public highway is designed for the safe movement of traffic and pedestrians and not as a designated parking area.”