People living on an estate next to Manchester Airport have described their nightmare of "cowboy" parking firms dumping cars, with vehicles being "left for weeks" and blocking drives.
Ann and Arthur Barlow live on the estate in Wythenshawe and said scores of cars dumped on the pavement outside their semi-detached home. Ann has lived at the home since she was born 65 years ago and claims the situation on their street is the worst it's ever been since the coronavirus travel restrictions were lifted, reports the Manchester Evening News.
She claims their son has been late for work several times after his van has been blocked in their driveway. This is usually by holidaymakers who leave their cars on the road. They then make the short walk to Manchester Airport.
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It's not just the Barlow family who are suffering either, dozens of people who live on the roads surrounding the airport said their lives are being constantly disrupted by careless parking - and littering. In some areas, such as Shadowmoss Road - which has a near-perfect view of the airport's runway - 'residents parking only' signs have been put up, and CCTV cameras installed by Manchester City Council.
But it still doesn't appear to be deterring everyone. And while residents like the Barlow family will try to discourage holidaymakers from parking there, some claim a trend has emerged where "dodgy" meet and greet firms will dump customer's cars there during the night - supposedly when nobody is watching.
Ann pointed out several cars parked outside their house, just off Woodhouse Lane, that don't belong to them or their neighbours. She said: "My son constantly gets his work van blocked in.
"I have written to and emailed the council but they just don't seem interested. We've noticed the problem get a lot worse since things with covid calmed down, it's just ridiculous. I asked for yellow lines to be put in or to give us a permit but they’ve said no because it’s too expensive. They are building loads of new houses but we have been forgotten.
"We see these holidaymakers get out of the car with their suitcases and walk off towards the airport and we try and speak to them and they just say 'oh well the car park is too expensive.' But a lot of these cars are very nice, I don’t believe they can’t afford the parking. I don’t know why they want to leave them down here."
Ann and Arthur said they've noticed a new trend recently which they think involves cowboy meet and greet firms. They claim to have often seen two cars moved from their street, only to find another two cars park up almost immediately after.
A crackdown has been launched on some of these parking firms around Manchester Airport after an onslaught of complaints from residents in Wythenshawe. Manchester Airport said it has teamed up with Cheshire Police and Manchester City Council to zap "inconsiderate and illegal parking" around the hub. But this is not a new issue - residents and holidaymakers have been complaining of these firms for years.
For the Barlow family, the crackdown is yet to make a difference. Ann said: "The council have said if a car is parked here and it's on the pavement we can call them and they will tow it away but we do that and nobody comes.
"They did put a camera down here but then the kids broke it. I really don’t know what the solution is but something needs to be done." Katy Muldowney, 28, is a nurse and said her driveway has been blocked by holidaymakers on several occasions since she moved into her house off Shadowmoss Road three years ago.
She said: "I'm a nurse and my partner does floor sanding so we have early shifts which can be a pain when it's busy around here. A lot of the time people park on the pavement opposite which can make it really difficult to drive around here.
"We always see people getting out of their cars with suitcases. There are no regulations around here so a permit would definitely be good. We were burgled recently in the middle of the night and we think because the planes are so loud they might have used that as a distraction as we didn’t hear them break in.
"We came downstairs and my work car had been taken and my partners work van. I know we choose to live here right next to the airport but you don’t expect to be burgled like that."
Christine Leatherbarrow, 65, has lived in a house off Shadowmoss Road for 30 years and said airport parking has always been an issue, but claims the situation got worse after the Metrolink line and A555 airport relief road was built.
Her house backs on to a small green which looks directly across to the airport's runway, and is a popular spot for families who want to plane spot without having to pay for parking. But she said the green space has become plagued with litter since the start of the school summer holidays.
Christine said: "Even though there are lots of signs telling them not to, people still park here. Cars are here for weeks on end. It's also the scammers at the airport meet and greet firms who dump people's cars here. They usually do it at night when nobody is watching.
"We have petitioned for more action so many times. I bought this house years ago and the price it would fetch now with all this wouldn't cover what I need. I try to speak to the people who leave their cars here but I just get abused.
"Often we get a lot of taxis waiting around here too, even though there is a Jet Park opposite. I don't understand why people can't just use the tram and park somewhere else if they don't want to pay to park."
Airport bosses said they are taking steps to tackle the congestion on streets like Shadowmoss Road by slashing the cost of dedicated waiting areas for taxis. The dedicated zone at JetParks on Thorley Lane is a place for private hire and taxi drivers to wait for fares, either after dropping off passengers at the hub or if their fare's flight is delayed.
Previously, the waiting zone has cost cabbies £1 for up to an hour, £1.50 for up to two and £2 for three hours - past which point there's a £50 fine. But now hub bosses have cut the fees in half, meaning it costs £1 for up to three hours.
The offer will last throughout the summer holidays when passenger numbers are highest, with Manchester Airport saying the fee pays for upkeep of the facility, including a hot drinks machine, indoor seating, toilets and flight information screens. It's open 24 hours.
Les Cook, 69, also lives on Shadowmoss Road and said the situation there has improved in recent years, but claims the street is still full of cars parking up to watch the planes take off.
He said: "It used to be a lot worse when they first put the tram line in. They were coming up here in their droves and leaving nappies, cans and bottles on the green at the top. It went on for a while and then they started sending wardens out. A few months later I got a call saying they were putting a camera up.
"Some people still come here and ignore the signs but nothing like before. A lot of people seem to park on the pavement across the road because they want to go to the pub and don’t want to pay £2 to park.
"There was a car parked here the other day and they were given a ticket and then a few days later it was gone. I’m not sure if it was towed or if they came back. Often if I see a car now I’ll call the warden myself."
Kevin Atherton, 72, who lives on nearby Beagle Walk said he often can't get out of his driveway, and claims a lot of signs that were installed on his road asking people not to park there, have since been "ripped down".
What Manchester Airport and Council said
Councillor Leigh-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, said: "The airport is one of the pillars of the region’s economy and it is positive to see its recovery following Covid-19. But for some local residents the impact of inconsiderate parking has been significant. I’m glad to see that Manchester Airports Group are putting in place measures to alleviate this during one of the busiest periods of the year.
"As ever the Council would recommend anyone leaving their car at the airport when they fly to use reputable businesses and not fall prey to rogue operators. The Buy with Confidence Scheme is the best and easiest way to ensure your car is safe when on holiday."
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, insisted the airport was taking rogue meet and greet firms "very seriously", he added: "In addition to our own official parking, there are a number of reliable and reputable third-party providers located near the airport and we would always urge passengers to do their research before handing over their keys.
"We encourage customers to use initiatives such as Park Mark and the government-backed Buy with Confidence scheme to find a provider that has undergone a series of detailed checks and is committed to trading fairly."
Manchester City Council was unable to provide a comment in response to specific allegations made by the residents in this piece.
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