Forum Topic

Take over parking spaces for a day

Nice idea for Chiswick this weekend:"People are being urged to reclaim parking spaces outside their homes this weekend, transforming them into mini parks for activities such as fitness classes, tea parties and book clubs.Organisers of the People Parking Day event are calling on residents in London to commandeer some of the 1 million car parking spaces in the capital for more “people friendly” activities and to improve the local environment."https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/24/campaign-urges-londoners-to-take-over-parking-spaces-for-a-day

Paul Campbell ● 1857d26 Comments

Great idea, but what will we do with our cars in the meantime?  I'll be driving all day!  What will you do with yours Paul?

Kieran Fox ● 1857d

Don't worry about that Kerian, the cars will just 'evaporate'.

Adrian Irving ● 1857d

What a brilliant idea with no flaws whatsoever. We'll certainly be taking part and, as for the car, we'll just park it outside somebody else's house!

Anita Blake ● 1857d

At least 20 households in our street don't have cars.  It would be good if at least one day per year this public space could be used by all those people to to sit and chat with neighbours. I imagine quite a few of our older neighbours would love it.

Angela Peel ● 1857d

Angela - that sounds like what happens when the roads are closed for Playstreets.  It means that the rest of the residents can also get to meet as well. Some people tried to do this distanced for VE? day which happened when a lot of us were sadly deliberately not socialising because of the virus.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/revised-road-closure-guidance-to-boost-childrens-outdoor-play

Philippa Bond ● 1857d

They do it in Hanwell on Green Lane,several times a year,they don't seem to get any hassle

David Burke ● 1857d

Kieran you can fix all your cars to a home made merry-go-round andimagine you are driving somewhere pleasant.

Janice Evans ● 1857d

Is this proposal legal?

Simon Temple ● 1857d

Fantastic idea Paul, I'm all for it! Do we just park our cars in the middle of the road for the day?

Chris Blackwell ● 1857d

ha ha!

Simon Temple ● 1857d

It's vital that parking spaces are freed up for social events on concrete for those who can't use Acton Green or Chiswick Back Common or Turnham Green or Southfield Park or Chiswick House or Dukes Meadows.

Simon Temple ● 1857d

It’s estimated that parked cars in London take up as much space as 10 Hyde parks. To free up road space for one day of alternative use we need suitable local alternative parking for local residents whose roads have been turned over to street parties or similar. I suggest we make Fishers Lane a car park on  such days. The 272 bus would have to be diverted of course but I’m sure a bike lane could be squeezed in along the edge of the road.

David Turner ● 1857d

So how many in favour of this jolly idea. Paul for one, if you’re  Hounslow Council that’s a majority apparently, so it will go ahead

Maggie Dodge ● 1857d

Have you never come across any of these Maggie?

Philippa Bond ● 1857d

How about street parties in the cycle lanes.

Michael David Rowe ● 1857d

Seems fair You could have one on Fishers Lane and the cyclists wouldn’t even know about it !

Maggie Dodge ● 1857d

Great news for the handful of people in Chiswick who lack the faculties to imagine how they might commandeer a parking space and have their car parked at the same time - lots of local cars will be in queues for petrol stations for much of today and tomorrow so there will be even more spare space than usual.

Paul Campbell ● 1856d

As there will be no car parked in the space you "commandeer" you won't be causing any inconvenience, so yes, a great idea. Go ahead please as we all need a good laugh at the sight you  performing gymnastics, drinking tea or whatever next to the road.Be sure to publish photos.

Adrian Irving ● 1856d

Why not make it permanent. After all it is public space.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqqVTNg6tC4&ab_channel=Streetfilms

Hans Lund-Sorensen ● 1856d

Is it public space though? I mean if we are paying for residents parking then surely we are entitled to a space? After all, we have paid for the privilege of parking in our own street or should we be prepared to arrive home only to find some geezer on a picnic blanket eating a scotch egg?

Chris Blackwell ● 1856d

Ha, sounds like a possibility.

Janice Evans ● 1856d

I bought my petrol in Ashford Middx no queue , just lucky I guess. Sorry to disappoint Paul. Where did you get yours ?

Maggie Dodge ● 1856d

Actually I don't believe that your CPZ parking permit does  entitle you to a parking space in your CPZ.

Philippa Bond ● 1856d

I want my money back.

Simon Temple ● 1856d

"should we be prepared to arrive home only to find some geezer on a picnic blanket eating a scotch egg?" How dull is that. Surely folk could do better. How about eating a scotch egg whilst performing a highland fling  riding on a penny farthing? Dressed in clan tartan naturally.What a hoot that would be!

Adrian Irving ● 1855d

So why do we pay for Residents’ Parking? Perhaps we should read the small print. Perhaps Council Leaders should read what they’re job description is. I’m pretty sure it’s not to ride rough shod over residents and lick the feet of the Cycle Lobby, at least I hope not 🤷‍♀️

Maggie Dodge ● 1855d