Concerned residents have described the "mayhem" caused after St Albans council issued more parking permits than there are spaces available.

A petition has been started by on the local authority's website, concerning parking in Zone F, led by a residents' association for the area.

Currently, there are 200 on-street parking spaces, three motorcycle bays and four disabled bays in Zone F.

A total of 213 parking permits have been issued for the zone which covers Bernard Street, Catherine Street, Church Street, Dalton Street and Grange Street.

A concerned resident told the Herts Ad that the association is considering having a parking candidate stand in the local elections.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "St Albans council has sold more permits than there are parking spaces for a number of residential zones, which is causing parking mayhem for locals.

"Residents struggling to park have had to resort to parking illegally on corners.

"This led to delayed bin collections as the bin lorry repeatedly could not access the road. Cars also end up in traffic jams when driving through the zone. 

"The current council response has been to ticket illegally parked cars late at night.

"This is instead of installing bays to ensure the spaces are used properly, limiting the sale of permits or creating overflow parking areas in spare, empty car parks not used by local businesses at night."

St Albans council have been communicating with residents of Zone F in an attempt to find a solution.

Chris Traill, strategic director for community and place delivery at St Albans City & District Council commented:  “Pressure on on-street car parking spaces is affected by increasing levels of car ownership and the historic lay-out of streets. 

"St Albans has very high car ownership and there is limited kerb space available for parking. 

"Parking is also impacted by visitors, trades people, voucher parking and those parking illegally.

“The council’s parking team wrote to residents in the Zone F controlled parking zone in November last year to gather the views of local people, following concerns expressed by residents in the Grange Street area about pressure on on-street parking spaces.

“We have also met with members of the residents’ association to discuss the issues they are experiencing, and we have been monitoring parking activities to gain a fuller understanding of parking space use there.

Herts Advertiser: St Albans council have been communicating with residents in Zone F to find a solution.St Albans council have been communicating with residents in Zone F to find a solution. (Image: Archant)

"This includes collecting data, such as the occupancy rate of parking bays at peak times.

“Controlled Parking Zones are initiated in areas where there is high parking demand, sometimes at the request of residents and sometimes proactively. 

"Their purpose is to help manage the competing demands on kerb space, and improve traffic flow and road safety.

“As part of our review of Zone F we have undertaken informal consultation to help inform our understanding, and are reviewing responses before considering the next steps.

“Proposals to ease the pressure on spaces could include, for example, removal of voucher parking, a reduction in the maximum number of permits for a household from three to two, or an increase in the hours and days that restrictions are in force.

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"There may be potential too to create additional parking spaces. We are also looking into other possible measures suggested by the community to see if they are feasible.

“Before making decisions on any changes, we will hold a formal consultation and seek feedback from residents on any proposals. 

“There is no miracle solution, but we will work in partnership with our residents to arrive at what they feel are the most suitable parking arrangements for their neighbourhood.”