Will there be no parking on Seaview High Street?

A ‘no waiting at any time’ permanent parking restriction on Seaview’s High Street could be approved next week.

The policy, which is said to have been called for by residents to deal with ‘persistent inconsiderate parking’, could be authorised from next Thursday.

The present parking situation has been described as unsafe for pedestrians and a cause of access issues and traffic delays.

If given the go ahead, double yellow lines would be installed on two stretches of the High Street – at one end overlooking the sea and next to the Seaview Deli.

In the report recommending the changes, the council said that before the closing date on May 3 after the changes were advertised, four valid objections were received. One supported and three opposed the plans on similar grounds – ‘reducing the on-street parking for the local residents’ and ‘removing parking might encourage speeding’.

“In recognition of the objections, the authority’s response is that the extent of the proposed restrictions can be shortened from 20m to 10m, to cover the narrowest part of the street only and to preserve two parking spaces after that point.”

Cllr David Adams, representative for Nettlestone and Seaview on the Isle of Wight Council, said: “It was brought to my attention that there is a width restriction (pinch point), on Seaview High Street and may be problematic if emergency vehicles needed access.

“This was clearly an issue, as at various times whilst passing in my own vehicle the width was very restricted at this location if vehicles were parked opposite each other.

“I raised my concerns and reported it to highways and discussed the issue with the parish council.

“It was agreed the lines were necessary to allow the passage of emergency vehicles and we agreed to keep them to a minimum to prevent the loss of on street parking.”