Anger over roadside sales

People in New Plymouth are urging the NZTA to take further action against roadside traders and are claiming more than 40 vehicles are illegally parked along one street at the weekend. Lynda Hansen says the problem started when yellow lines were painted along the racecourse side of Coronation Avenue. “Our biggest bugbear is they were parked bumper to bumper.” The NZTA is aware of residents’ concerns “We share a number of safety concerns relating to people parking here to sell vehicles and we’re working to discourage this where it presents a safety hazard,” says a spokesman. In July, about 30 people living in the Frank Wilson Terrace area signed a petition to highlight the problem. “We’re now working closely with the community and council to identify further potential measures to discourage unsafe parking practices,” says the agency. “We don’t have eyes on the ground all of the time, so we need the community to help us by reporting vehicles creating safety hazards.” If attempts to contact the owners of dangerously parked vehicles are unsuccessful, cars may be towed.