Parking row rumbles on as neighbours keep no parking signs in Newton

As previously reported by the Star, more than 50 'residents only' signs were nailed to garden walls along Castle Hill in Newton-le-Willows last month, due to parking problems that have been "building up for a period of years".

The parking signs included logos of both St Helens Council and Merseyside Police to suggest that they had been verified by the authorities, but it was confirmed that the signs were erected without permission.

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More than 50 residents only signs were erected along Castle Hill (Image: Contributed)

With the parking signs causing uproar in the community, the police force and council asked the residents to remove their logos and stated that those using official emblems without permission would be reported.

It was also confirmed that while Castle Hill was formerly a private road, the parking signs were unenforceable as it is now public land.

However, despite the backlash from local residents, the majority of signs have remained along Castle Hill with the council and police logos tippexed over or hidden with stickers.

The signs initially suggested they had been verified by the police and council (Image: St Helens Star)

One Newton resident, who lives in a nearby street, said: "About six houses have taken the signs down but the rest have kept them up because it's working and people aren't parking there, despite it being a public road.

"I've lived in the area for five years and Castle Hill has no more parking problems than its nearby streets, so I think it's elitism to keep the signs up because people will still abide by them.

"People in my street have already started buying their own signs, although they haven't put them up yet, so it's started pitting everybody against each other, which will surely have an impact on the great high street and area that we live in."

The signs were put in place along the cul-de-sac (Image: St Helens Star)

Speaking to the Star after the signs were erected, a Castle Hill resident explained that they were put in place as the road is frequently used by commuters who park their vehicles before travelling at the busy Newton-le-Willows train station. 

At times, commuters have left vehicles for days while also blocking driveaways and denying access for builders, the resident said.

Some neighbours have taken their signs down after the controversy (Image: St Helens Star)

A St Helens Borough Council spokesperson said: “There is no residents only parking scheme in this area and the signs are not enforceable.

“Drivers are able to park here the same as other residential areas, responsibly and legally, with consideration to the accessibility of residents, pedestrians and emergency vehicles.” 

Logos have been hidden by tippex or stickers (Image: Contributed)