Neighbours claim their narrow street has been turned into a “chaotic obstacle course” by people who double park.

Neighbours living in Tempest Avenue, Potters Bar, say there is a longstanding problem with people who work in the area blocking the road with their cars.

The road is only wide enough for cars to park on one side of the road at a time, but motorists in a hurry to get to work regularly flout the rule.

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Bryan Stewart, a retired market trader, said the problem is not confined solely to the working day, but happens at all hours as some of the people responsible also work nights.

The 73-year-old said: “I am getting fed up, it makes me so angry. It’s just so selfish, the way they have no disregard for residents who live here.

“A few times I’ve gone out to tell them off, but I just get abused. You can’t win.”

Amanda Barnett, a school administrator, said people in the street are woken throughout the night by drivers beeping horns when they find they are unable to get out of a space.

Neighbours say grass verges outside houses have been turned into “swampland” because drivers are forced to reverse onto the pavement to manoeuvre out of the street.

This also makes it difficult for people with mobility scooters that are unable to drive through the mud.

Ken Winchester, who also lives on the street, had a heart attack three years ago and had to call an ambulance to his home.

But he fears that if someone were to fall ill again, the ambulance would not be able to get through.

He said: “It’s very dangerous. They aren’t just blocking the road for residents, but for paramedics, police officers and firefighters too.

“Ambulances also pick up elderly people who live on the street to take them to hospital, but can’t always get through.

“It’s so inconsiderate. We just want it to stop. It’s chaos out there sometimes.”

Hertfordshire Police have been called out on numerous occasions to move cars and guide people through exceptionally narrow spaces.

David Rutter, 62, said: “It’s hopeless. Our road has become an obstacle course of selfish drivers who just don’t seem to care.”

 

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Stephen James, a train driver, says the solution is to create single yellow lines on the road blocking commuter parking and double yellow lines around the bends.

He said: “It’s ridiculous, it’s insane. The road has been totally blocked three times already this year.

“Something has to be done, somebody has to be held responsible for this, because we can’t go on with it.”

A statement from Hertfordshire Police said: “Police have received reports of obstructive parking on Tempest Avenue.

“Where calls have been received, officers have attended the location. On occasion no obstruction has been caused, however where there have been issues these have been dealt with accordingly.

“We would urge motorists to be mindful when parking along this road and ensure they are not causing an obstruction to other road users.”

Hertsmere Borough Council said: "We are aware of some parking issues in Tempest Avenue and have received a limited number of requests from residents asking us to look at controlled parking.  We understand that some of the current parking problems may be due to temporary work being carried out at Potters Bar bus depot, and so drivers and other staff at the depot are parking in the road at the moment. 

“If there are immediate safety concerns or residents are blocked in or obstructed, they need to call the police non-emergency number 101.  Otherwise we will be making any recommendations for Tempest Avenue and other areas of Potters Bar as part of a town-wide parking review which is currently underway.  The review of the north and east side of Potters Bar, which includes Tempest Avenue, is scheduled to be published later this year.  We will of course publicise and consult on any proposals at that time.”