By Jennifer Cosgrove

A DUNDEE woman who is on crutches has slammed inconsiderate drivers for treating a quiet residential street like a car park.

Pauline Fyffe (42), who lives in a flat in Hospital Street, ruptured her achilles tendon over a month ago and is using crutches because she has been told not put pressure on the injury.

Due to the high volume of cars parking on the street during the day to access workplaces, Ms Fyffe has been unable to park her own vehicle close to her home.

She has been forced to move house while she recuperates, and faces being in plaster for at least another six weeks.

She explained, “I’ve been staying with a friend up the road who has private parking, so I know that I can get my car parked—and this will be the situation until I get my cast off.

“About six weeks ago, I contacted Councillor Helen Wright and she said that she was going to look at getting residential parking put in, but I haven’t heard anything since.

“The side of Hospital Street where the houses are should be residents’ parking only, but everyone would have to agree about this.”

She added, “The street is fairly quiet at night, up until 7.30am. But after 7.45am it’s just mobbed—that’s when people start parking to get to their work.

“People are not thinking about the folk that live in the street—it’s a residential area and not a major route.

“However, I’m not pleased I’m facing having to pay for a permit because I already have to pay £5 a day to go to work and now I might have to pay to park in the evening.

“I have even tried to park in Coldside Road but people are parking on corners and on pavements there—it’s just unacceptable.”

Councillor Wright said, “I found out about this problem when I was canvassing for the local elections and there were a few people in Hospital Street who brought it to my attention.

“Obviously, I’m aware of the problem that Pauline has and I can certainly sympathise with her, as I had my hip replaced and was in a similar position.”

She went on to say that, aside from people parking in Hospital Street to access businesses, the situation is being exacerbated by more people parking in the street because of the building work going on at King’s Cross Hospital.

“I approached the council’s planning and transportation department, who gave me assurances that the area concerned would be added to the list of possible schemes for residents’ parking, which would solve the problem for people who live in the street,” said Mrs Wright.

“However, it’s not a fast process, and there has to be a consultation.

“I know that not all residents will be in favour of this, especially because of issues of cost, but that is something they would have to discuss.”

Mrs Wright said she understood Ms Fyffe would be in plaster for at least another six weeks, but was unsure whether something could be done within this time.

“I will ask if it’s possible,” she said, adding, “We all park our cars and we don’t always think about people who might be in a position like Pauline.

“If people could be considerate and perhaps park on the opposite side of the street, things will hopefully get better when the new King’s Cross building wing opens.”