Yet again this morning the white van owned by Turner’s Fine Foods from Cranbrook caused obstruction in Lion Street, as the driver delivered to the George hotel. Despite repeated requests and the issue of a police parking ticket two years ago, the driver persistently blocks the street without any concern for other road-users or residents.
Nick Taylor, who lives in Lion Street, said he had taken up the issue with Kevin Beale, account manager at Turner’s, resulting in a site visit. “He has reassured me that he will do everything he can to stop their vans using Lion Street” said Nick. Despite this assurance, the van driver has clearly not got the message. It is understood that Rye Town Council’s efforts have been similarly ineffectual up till now. How long can such anti-social behaviour continue unchecked?
[Editor’s note: not all the blame should go on the delivery drivers. It would seem that the George Hotel, to which most of the deliveries are destined, is making little or no effort to encourage delivery companies to use the loading bay specifically provided for them]
photo: Nick Taylor
More whingeing from the few. Where are the van drivers supposed to unload? I have no experience of being a van driver but I would imagine the job is hard enough as it is without moaning from the few who have nothing else to think about.
[NOTE: This has been edited to meet Rye News guidelines for comments]
Yes but was the unloading bay, vacant when the van arrived,I have seen on more than one occasion, cars illegally parked in these bays, time to see pop up bollards in these bays, with businesses needing to use them,having keys, and paying to have them installed.
The problem is blindingly obvious. Imagine you are a delivery driver: as you approach the George Hotel you see that once again the delivery bay is blocked either in whole or part by vehicles who are not delivering. By then it’s too late, you are forced to turn right down Market Street and go around the town to once again approach the High Street. Hoping second time around for a space. Much better, on each and every occasion, to simply turn left up East St in order to part in Lion St. A guaranteed ‘space’. As so many things, it back to enforcement again.
The loading bay in front of the George is nearly always full of illegally parked cars – there were 4 last Wednesday morning three in the bays and one on the double yellows – what do you expect delivery drivers to do. I lived in London for 35 years: you would never think of parking on double yellows, in loading bays or bus stops as you would get a ticket – in Rye you have no enforcement: everyone local knows that so they ignore the restrictions.
It is probably safer (and maybe the town council should discuss this) for delivery drivers who find the bays are obstructed to stop in the High Street whilst the make their deliveries: at least they will not be parking on pavements and endangering pedestrians – nothing in Rye High street is life or death so it shouldn’t matter that much if motorists have to wait for 5 minutes whilst deliveries are made.
The editor is right about the responsibility of the George. Yes, the loading bay is often occupied by cars but this could easily be rectified by obstructing it with, say, a couple of beer kegs or some large boxes when deliveries are known to be due. This method is frequently used by pubs/shops elsewhere and would solve the problem with zero cost or inconvenience to the public or the George.
The Parking situation in Lion Street with trucks and vans parking there is getting worse week by week. In fairness to the drivers the problem is due to the fact that people shopping and other tradesmen park there. There is a simple solution to this problem and that is for the George Hotel to employ a Porter or two part time. This is essential to keep the Bay clear ans assist their own customers with their baggage. The George has caused the problem and it is their responsibility to solve it.