LOCALS in Edinburgh have been left fuming after discovering that the council is set to take away their parking spaces.
Residents living in Springfield estate, in Leith, have lived in the area for around 40 years after moving into the properties when they were built by developer Taylor Wimpey in the early 1980s.
Locals in Lieth, including Maureen and Jimmy, have been left furious that they could lose their parking spacesMedia Scotland
Media ScotlandThe couple have paid for metal poles to be installed in their spaces so others can’t use them[/caption]
The small car parking area outside of the houses was included in the sale of the homes and has belonged to residents since they moved in.
However, they are now set to be taken away from them in new council plans to adopt the road.
Edinburgh City Council claimed that Taylor Wimpey asked them to adopt the area so that the council could maintain it.
But the developer has disputed these claims.
Council chiefs explained that legally those who own land that sits on the road have a right to control how the road is used.
But Taylor Wimpey argued that the arrangement for the parking spaces was set out in the home owner’s legal title deeds when the houses were built.
They disputed the claims that the council has told the locals and insisted that they were unaware of any reason for the council to make changes to the already agreed-upon arrangements.
Maureen Stewart, 73, and her husband, Jimmy 72, both live in the area and said they have been left “upset” about their space being taken away.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, the couple explained that they have erected a metal barrier in their parking space, which they paid for themselves, to stop others from using it.
Maureen said: “We have the original parking plans and deeds, it’s clearly our space.
“The whole thing is actually quite upsetting to be honest as we have spent so much time reaching out to different people.
“Men from the council came on Friday to start sorting out signs for permit parking and we saw them and went out to tell them the spaces are private and ours.
“One of the men said he was going to contact his boss but we haven’t heard anything.
“We recently paid to have metal poles put up at each of our spaces after we were told they would still be ours, others have done the same in the estate.
“One of our neighbours is a teacher and only just moved in, she will probably move on if she has her space taken away as she relies on her car for work.
“We bought the parking space with the house, which is obviously a selling point. You can’t just turn around 39 years later and take it away.”
It is understood that the residents each have their own space on the road but when it was adopted a while back, it meant they had no say on how it is used.
However, it’s also understood that even though the council adopted the road, it will not legally own it.
The Springfield estate is part of ‘Zone seven’ of the council’s parking zones, which means it could cost locals between £41 and £398 for a 12-month permit depending on the size of their car engine.
While the permit parking restrictions would apply between 8.30am and 5.30pm.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, told the Scottish Sun: “The new parking restrictions being introduced to some streets in Leith aim to address issues like commuter parking, which people across the city have told us is a problem in their neighbourhoods.
“In areas such as Springfield, where the developer has asked the Council to adopt parts of the roads into the public network, the Council, as roads authority, is responsible for its management.
“Officers have spoken to residents in this area on a number of occasions to inform them of the changes coming into force, and to help them to prepare.
“Changes will only be made to the legally adopted road.
“Ultimately, these parking controls help to maintain priority for local residents, while also protecting against problem parking, encouraging alternative modes of transport and improving the safety and efficiency of the city’s streets.
“Once in place, officers will be monitoring the impact of the changes to ensure they work for the community.”
A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland also told the Scottish Sun: “We are aware of an ongoing dispute between residents at Springfield and City of Edinburgh Council relating to parking arrangements.
“Those properties were built in the early 1980’s and the ownership arrangements for parking spaces were set out within their legal titles at that time.
“We are not aware of any reason for City of Edinburgh Council to change those arrangements.
“We would advise residents to seek advice from their conveyancing solicitor whilst engaging with City of Edinburgh Council over the issue.”
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