Anger after blue badge holder parks on double yellow lines and gridlocks town
Beccles town centre became gridlocked after a lorry was unable to turn onto Station Road from Smallgate due to a blue Citroen parked on double yellow lines. PHOTO: Aimee Davey and Jemima Davey - Credit: Archant
Traffic chaos gridlocked Beccles town centre on Wednesday lunchtime after a car parked on double yellow lines.
Beccles town centre became gridlocked after a lorry was unable to turn onto Station Road from Smallgate due to a blue Citroen parked on double yellow lines. PHOTO: Aimee Davey and Jemima Davey - Credit: Archant
A lorry was unable to turn from Smallgate onto Station Road because of a blue Citroen parked near to the Public Hall.
The disruption gridlocked traffic around the area, including on Hungate and Market Street, where traffic was only able to turn left onto Smallgate.
Aimee Davey witnessed the commotion. She said: "At noon I noticed it while driving to pick my sister up.
"When I came back through town the traffic was horrendous as it was still in the same place.
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"If there was a fire engine or a bus they couldn't have gone past the lorry to carry on down Smallgate at all.
"The cars passing the lorry were driving up on to the pavement with pedestrians walking on it, putting them in danger.
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"The lorry was stuck there for a good 45 minutes before the owner of the car showed up, mouthing off saying he could park on double yellow lines with a blue badge.
"The blue car then moved so the lorry could get around the corner."
While a blue badge does allow holders to park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, the Department for Transport states holders must not park "dangerously or obstructively", including within 10 metres of a junction, where it would make the road narrow, or where it would hold up traffic.
Drivers who cause an obstruction could also face a fine, a penalty charge notice, or have their vehicle removed.
A spokesperson for Suffolk Police confirmed they were called to the obstruction shortly after noon.
The problem also affected BorderBus services, who warned delays were likely on some services. Earlier this year, CEO Andrew Pursey bemoaned "inconsiderate" drivers whose parking wreaks havoc with timetables.
Speaking after the latest disruption, he said: "This one in particular was someone, a blue badge holder, parking inconsiderately.
"The lorry couldn't get around, but he was already committed so couldn't reverse or get out. It just caused gridlock.
"It then has a knock-on effect with all the one-way systems in Beccles.
"We run a lot of our routes through the town so we can certainly do without it."
