A frustrated resident has called for parking permits to be introduced in a Nottingham area likened to the 'Wild West'. Michael Holyk, 34, moved to Marshall Street, Sherwood, more than two years ago, but says his everyday life has been blighted by a worsening parking problem.
The filmmaker said the lack of parking restrictions on the street had caused fights between angry motorists, attracted "rowdy" drinkers picking up their cars after a trip to the pub, and contributed to antisocial behaviour. "There's this little sliver in Sherwood that is like the Wild West. When I moved and was renovating my house I had loads of deliveries and the amount of things that kicked off showed this area had been ignored," Mr Holyk said.
"When I was renovating I had to break up a fistfight between someone who had blocked the road doing deliveries and someone who wanted to get out, and that was in the first few weeks of living here. It's always rowdy when people go to their cars at the end of a night after Wetherspoons and it's a hotspot for Uber drivers and deliveries, so it's hard to park near if you live here.
Poll: Should the UK deal with snow better? Have your say here
"The rest of Sherwood has had restrictions put in and is clean and calm, but this area has gone under the radar. It leads to a lot of other issues.
"My girlfriend and I are starting a family and we're thinking 'do we need this stress' and is this going to mean we have to move house. It seems fairer to put in residents' permits, which have been introduced everywhere else in Sherwood. I'm not sure why that's the case, it is bizarre.
"It has made me feel increasingly more uncomfortable with being there, which sounds ridiculous but it does all have an impact on your life. It's one of the dirtiest streets in Sherwood too and other neighbours have complained about the mess, so all these issues are snowballing."
Marshall Street branches off from Mansfield Road, which acts as Sherwood's high street, hosting a variety of shops and entertainment venues. Parking permits are already in place on Broxtowe Street, Drayton Street, Melrose Street, Daybrook Street, and Newstead Street.
"Other areas are further from the shops but have more provisions. Sherwood is getting busier and busier, so the parking is getting worse. Other streets like Whittington Road have had these problems and parking permits have resolved them," Mr Holyk added.
Speaking in a personal capacity, Councillor AJ Matsiko, Labour representative for Sherwood on the city council, said: "It's an option we have on our agenda, but we have to take consultation first because there will also be pushback from businesses and customers. Marshall Street has been a big area for fly tipping and it's a priority to look at the area, but to have a thriving high-street we've got to try to find a balance.
"We need to consider the needs of the area, with it being a city location and near a high street." Councillor Adele Williams, Labour representative for Sherwood, added that money had been set aside for a wider review of parking in the area.
Are you planning an event for King Charles III’s Coronation? Let us know here
READ NEXT:
Inspector warns students to secure accommodation after rise in burglaries
Neighbours shocked after man found stabbed in 'nice little town'
How empty Nottingham high street has transformed into a 'cool and fresh' destination
11-minute exercise that cuts risks of stroke, cancer and heart disease, say scientists
