Mum ‘really not happy’ after huge parking machine installed outside her house
A fuming mum has criticised her local council after a parking meter was installed right next to her front garden.
Tracy Coles was shocked to see the 4ft tall machine appear outside her home in Bedford, as she hadn’t been told in advance it was going to be installed.
Tracy, 35, is concerned that the machine’s location will jeopardise her childrens’ privacy.
The council says it didn’t need planning permission to install the machine – so they didn’t have to consult her over its placement.
Tracy said: ‘I understand it does have to go somewhere.
‘But many of the streets further up have the meters at the end of the road, up against people’s side walls and out of sight of people’s view.’
The machine isn’t up and running yet and won’t be turned on until July.
It’s been placed just six inches from her property, next to her front garden wall and next to the side alleyway entrance to her home.
But Tracy says she’s worried about the privacy of her home, and she’s not the only person on the street with concerns.
She added: ‘It’s the only one down my street and I use my alleyway often in the summer.
‘My young kids love to play outside, so this is a hazard right next to my wall.
‘I feel it invades my kids’ privacy as you know what kids are like – they like to open curtains when people are outside.
‘Many of the residents have asked me how I feel about it and said they wouldn’t like it outside their house.
‘I really am not a happy resident.’
A spokesman for Bedford borough council explained why it installed the meter, but not why it was placed so close to Tracy’s home.
The spokesman said: ‘It’s because residents in the area have requested that we install a controlled parking zone in Churchville Road and as part of this work, we install pay and display machines to enable visitors to pay to park.’
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