Fed up residents have accused a housing association of “lining their own pockets” after too many permits were issued on Winchester streets.

They say that more than 60 passes have been issued but there are only 20 spaces, leaving families with no choice but to park outside marked bays.

Housing association A2Dominion has clamped down on the problem, with 24-hour restrictions in force in Peninsula Road and Erskine Road.

Private security guards for contractor PCM have stepped up 6am patrols and have been handing out £100 fines to those caught flouting the parking rules.

But the move, which also affects nearby Erskine Road, has sparked concerns for the isolation of disabled tenants and families who will not be able to have visitors.

John Handy, of Frances Sheldon Court, has been hit with hundreds of pounds in fines over the last fortnight. He was this week stripped of his new permit entirely, meaning friends and family can no longer visit.

“If they come, they're going to wind up with a ticket on their car. I feel really isolated,” said Mr Handy.

“Why can't they paint more bays?”

Joanne Smith, of Peninsula Road, said: “It's just greed, because PCM is 24 hours, seven days a week, 365 days of the year - including Christmas Day.

“Where are [my family] going to park? I can't have them over anymore. I understand that they want to stop students parking down here and stop taking residents' places but we pay our council taxes.

“All they're interested in is lining their own pockets.”

The housing association is installing 36 new spaces as part of a nearby housing development but will not provide extra space for current residents.

Tensions have been stoked by workmen taking some of the remaining spaces.

Anna Burridge, A2Dominion's assistant director of housing, said: “Following reports of vehicles being parked on these roads without permits, we have instructed the company which enforces the permit scheme to increase the number of patrols they carry out and to vary the times at which these patrols take place.”

 

 

 

 

A2Dominion is set to consult residents in the coming weeks on how to cut the number of permits.

Nobody from PCM was available for comment.