The tight squeeze for parking in Lilly Street has resulted in a resident being ordered to replace paving she’d ripped out to create a verge garden.
Silke Aichele admits she’d created the garden to stop people parking outside her home, but says safety was at the top of her mind. The street is so narrow that when cars are parked on both side of the street it can be all-but impossible for larger vehicles to pass.
“People [used to] ring my bell asking if that is my car because they can’t get through,” she says. Parked cars take up the footpath, forcing mums with prams or people in wheelchairs onto the road.
Removing some paving and planting the garden stopped cars being parked outside her home while leaving room on the footpath for pedestrians.
However, following a complaint to the council she’s been sternly ordered to “remove the verge material and replace the pavement within 14 days”. She intends to fight the order and campaign for parking down one side of the street only. Mayor Brad Pettitt says he’s a fan of “urban greening” but tight streets like Lilly require consultation with neighbours.
by JENNY D’ANGER