Options to try and solve residential parking problems linked to a business have not yet come to fruition, a council has said.
However, West Suffolk Council said enforcement action remained ‘an option’ in relation to Royal Mail’s delivery office in Skyliner Way, on Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds.
There has been growing frustration among Moreton Hall residents over the impact of Royal Mail’s decision to ban its staff from parking their own vehicles at the delivery office last year.
The business was accused of shifting its parking problems onto neighbouring residential streets and then in May, West Suffolk Council, the local planning authority, confirmed there was a breach of planning concerning the car park at the site.
It is understood that car parking spaces at the delivery office which were specifically allocated for private car parking for staff have been used for official Royal Mail vehicles.
In an update from the council about the situation, Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth and Cllr Jim Thorndyke, cabinet member for planning, said: “We have been trying to help residents and resolve the issue with Royal Mail by discussing alternative options for their staff parking. So far none of these have come to fruition.
“We cannot comment on the detail nor whether formal planning enforcement will be carried out, only to say it remains an option. We have been mindful, however, that any formal route of action may take longer to resolve the staff parking issue.
“This is why, so far, we have tried to support the business in recognising and resolving the impact it is having on its local community.
“We will also be encouraging Royal Mail themselves to speak to residents and explain the steps that they are taking to resolve this situation.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Royal Mail is committed to finding a solution that works for all parties.”
Andy McGowan, vice-chair of the Moreton Hall Residents’ Association, expressed his frustration over the length of time it was taking to find a solution, adding it had been more than six months since he notified West Suffolk Council of the planning breach.
He said: “It’s a big issue at the moment and in probably about six weeks’ time Royal Mail will probably start recruiting more staff for the Christmas seasonal rush.
Andy McGowan said cars were now regularly parked nearly all the way down Primack Road since Royal Mail banned its staff parking their own vehicles in the delivery office car park. Picture: Andy McGowan
“The situation is bad enough at the moment and will only get worse over the Christmas period and it’s residents who are having to pay the price and deal with the traffic issues.”
