West Didsbury parking plans divide Manchester property owners

Plans to introduce parking restrictions in West Didsbury to help Manchester property owners are proving controversial, according to Manchester Confidential.

In excess of 120 people showed up at Cavendish Road School in November 2010 to discuss a proposal that would see parking permits introduced for Burton Road and several neighbouring streets.

A news article on Manchester Confidential, entitled West Dids: selfish locals or clever?, has looked more closely at the implications.

Fans of the parking permits claim that they will stop the area being overrun by visitors checking out the restaurants and bars, and make it possible for residents to park up within reach of their homes.

One person who feels something needs to be done is Kevin Gray, who represented residents at the meeting. However, he warned a solution is needed that satisfies every Manchester property owner, whether on the residential or commercial side.

Meanwhile, Sarah, a West Didsbury resident and member of staff at the Silver Apple teashop, was even stronger in endorsing parking permits, saying: "I'm ultimately for it".

However, not everyone felt the same way; Paul, a restaurant manager at Piccolino, was worried that both employees and customers would be adversely affected by the "absolutely bonkers" West Didsbury parking permits.

And Penny, of Manchester restaurant love2eat, was similarly scatching when she lambasted the proposal as a "complete farce".

Manchester Confidential also weighed into the West Didsbury parking permit debate in an editorial comment.

"The attraction of West Didsbury is that Burton Road is such a fine place for dining and relaxing," it said.

"Residents should stop whinging and count their lucky stars they live in a place with such fabulous amenity."

Fellow Manchester property owners in West Didsbury can have their say by commenting on the news article, West Dids:selfish locals or clever?, on the Manchester Confidential site.

Website: http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/

Richard Frost

Confidential Publishing was set up in 2003 and its flagship site, ManchesterConfidential.com, has 305,000 readers and 70,000 subscribers. It covers food and drink, news, arts, entertainment, health and beauty, property and business and is aimed at the city region’s intelligent and educated readership. In October 2010, 1.7 million pages were viewed on the site. The company has won several awards including Top North West Brand in 2008 and One To Watch in 2007 at the How-Do Awards, which recognises local media in the North West. The firm employs almost 30 people across its head office in Manchester, and offices in Leeds and Liverpool.