Trapped by illegal parkers

NO PARKING: Jackie Frazer and others in Gisborne are fed up with people parking their cars in 'no parking' spots along the The Cut-Waikanae carpark entrance. Signs like the one in the picture mean you cannot stop here at any time. Picture by Paul Rickard

People parking their cars anywhere they want has caused “hellish” situations at The Cut carpark at Waikanae.

Concerned Gisborne resident Jackie Frazer has experienced being trapped in the carpark on three separate occasions.

The most recent prompted her to contact The Gisborne Herald and Gisborne District Council about the issue.

“One Saturday afternoon we were driving down The Cut towards the carpark opposite the tennis courts,” she said.

“There were cars parked beside the road next to the fence that clearly has a big cross referring to no parking. We got trapped.

“One car was going one way, our car was wanting to go the other way and there was only one lane of traffic. There was a car behind us so we couldn't reverse and the car in front of us didn't want to reverse. It was very frustrating.

“They ended up having to reverse back into the carpark but they couldn't turn around because there wasn't any room.

“It was a hellish time trying to get out of there,” Miss Frazer said.

She posted on Gisborne Facebook groups about the issue and other people in the community shared similar experiences.

“There was a lot of people who had trouble with it, too. I want people to know they are not allowed to park wherever they want.”

She got in contact with the council and sent pictures of the cars parked illegally. The council would issue tickets to those cars, she said.

“The problem the council have is they don't have anyone who can go down in the weekends and public holidays to monitor and issue tickets, so nothing will happen on weekends and public holidays.

“We want the council to move the boundaries of the fence, even if it's taking the fence out and putting one closer to the trees. That might give them somewhere else to park as well.

“Making the carpark bigger would be helpful, too,” Miss Frazer said.

Gisborne District Council compliance, monitoring and enforcement manager Gary McKenzie said the council's parking team responded to all complaints from members of the public.

“The majority of complaints about parking issues at The Cut carpark are reported outside of office hours or during the weekend when we don't have staff available to attend.

“We have received time-stamped photographs of cars parking at this location and when legally able to, we have infringed the owners of the cars responsible.”