Poor parking in Silver Street, Nailsea, causes chaos on bus route

Buses are being forced to drive on the pavement because of poor parking on a narrow Nailsea road.

North Somerset Coaches boss David Fricker has alerted police, district council highways officials and the town council about the potential dangers.

This week he said he discovered a line of cars, vans and a lorry parking both sides of Silver Street will 'wheels up on the pavement'.

Mr Fricker said: "The lorry was parked on the kerb making the road virtually impassible and incredibly dangerous.

"I've logged this with the police but something really must be done here as a matter of urgency before a child or senior citizen is hurt.

"Cars are being forced to drive all four wheels on the pavement to pass oncoming traffic by Four Oaks near a construction site."

Nailsea Town Council asked North Somerset Council to take action.

But streets and open spaces, development and environment area manager Paul Smart said: "While I sympathise there are no powers I have to stop or temporarily prevent vehicle parking.

"It is only a uniformed police officer who this power."

Mr Smart suggested a meeting with the police and developers to try and reach a solution.

This, said Mr Fricker, is 'passing the buck' and he intends to raise the matter at a joint transport executive committee meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

A visit from a PCSO failed to resolve the situation and if no remedy is found Mr Fricker said he will park all his buses along the offending route.

North Somerset Coaches Route 55 goes along Silver Street on its around Nailsea timetable every 90 minutes.

STOP PRESS TUESDAY: Councillor Anne Kemp said: "Surely police have the power if its causing an obstruction." 

And on Tuesday morning Mr Fricker said: "I have already this morning, at 8.50am, had to contact the police because five  vans are parked opposite cars at the top of Silver Street blocking access with one parked on the narrow section opposite a Transit tipper means nothing wider than a car can fit through.

"I am amazed nobody has any power to do anything about this."