Step Up, Step In: Reckless parking endangers housing communities

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erin O'Shea
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  "They're parking on the streets, parking on double-yellow lines and parking on other peoples' lawns and sidewalks," said Ian Lancaster, 48th Civil Engineer Squadron facilities chief. "People are parking just about anywhere they can find space to squeeze their vehicle in."

Illegal parking has been a growing issue in housing developments at Royal Air Forces Lakenheath and Feltwell. Many people are affected by the actions of others who choose to not follow specific housing parking regulations.

Parking in undesignated areas can result in losing driving privileges for up to 90 days if three traffic violation tickets are received within a three month time period. This can cause an inconvenience for the individual, coworkers and families involved, officials said.

"When Liberty Village homes were designed, planners agreed to increase parking space allotments from the U.K. standard of one and a quarter, to two spaces per home," Lancaster said. "This consideration was made recognizing most U.S. vehicles are much larger and take up more space than a car one could purchase in England. Each home is allotted a space in the garage and the driveway to park their vehicle. Parking elsewhere, is not permitted per 48th Security Forces Squadron and housing office regulations."

"The main concern is parking on the road which creates a blockage for emergency vehicles," Lancaster said. "Any delay in a number of seconds can be the difference between life and death, and that is our main drive behind this concern."

These roads were built just large enough to allow for a free-flow of traffic in both directions. When a resident parks their vehicle on the street, it causes hazards for many people and vehicles trying to pass. Large emergency response vehicles require clear roads and enough space for them to pass.

"If you were waiting on a fire truck response to get to a household emergency where someone was in need of lifesaving support, how would you feel if that truck had to turn around and take a different route, slowing their response to saving your loved one?" asked Lt. Col. Gregory Morissette, 48th CES commander. "Four or five months ago, a fire truck was responding to a kitchen fire and had to reverse the truck and take another route because a vehicle was blocking the road access."

Some drivers may park on sidewalks to help keep the roads clear, but this can bring along its own set of hazards.

"Parking on the sidewalks means that pedestrians, especially people with buggies, have to go out in the road to maneuver around illegally-parked vehicles which puts them in much greater danger," said Lancaster. "When a mother and child are forced off a designated footpath, it puts them in harm's way and exposes them to the possibility of being hit or injured."

Illegal parking doesn't only put those using footpaths in danger, but it also affects the communities overall wellness concerning regular service vehicles. For example, refuse trucks depend on clear roads in order to navigate through neighborhoods without causing destruction.

"If they cannot get through with their trucks to pick up people's refuse, they will not pick them up," said Lancaster. "Drivers were instructed that if the road is obstructed due from vehicle blockage, they are to turn around and go away and people will be responsible to remove their own trash."

These basic violations also affect the community's property and housing area development.

"There are mains and electric telephone networks, sewage, and other services that run underneath the lawn," Lancaster said. "The soil and grass easily gets crushed by the weight of the vehicle, which damages pipework and cables underneath. The damage can cost thousands of dollars. When families relocate, a pre-termination inspection is conducted, and if we can clearly see there is damage, we will hold them responsible to repair that damage."

There are several alternative parking options for the on-base housing community. Designated parking is available in the back two rows of the Strike Eagle Complex parking lot. RAF Lakenheath Elementary School's parking lot is available as well from 3:30 p.m. to 7 a.m., allowing for normal school-hour operations.

"There are some areas in Liberty Village where you can pull off on side streets, and it is legal for you to park if an emergency vehicle can safely pass," Morissette said. "We are asking residents to seek those locations out wherever possible while avoiding damaging the grass, but most importantly, allowing for emergency vehicle access.

"If people are noticing their neighbor doing something wrong, tell them," he added. "Don't wait for the parking violation to come around. Have a conversation and be good stewards of our government property. We need to take care of what we are given. We have a very nice housing area, let's show that pride."