Complaints streets in Kingswood have become ‘Royal Mail car park’

Residents say they have been unable to park outside their homes for weeks due to Royal Mail vans using their street to park.

People living near the Royal Mail delivery office in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, say about a dozen spaces a day are being filled with the company’s vans.

The firm apologised for similar issues in November but residents told the BBC the problem had since moved to other nearby roads. Royal Mail declined to comment further.

“[There have been] many times I couldn’t park outside my house or on my street, which concerned me at night,” said Debbie Fudge, who described Woodland Terrace as “a Royal Mail car park”.

Fern Colebrook, who lives in Moravian Road, told BBC Radio Bristol she counted 11 Royal Mail vans parked on her road in one morning.

“This is a daily occurrence,” she said. “They park illegally on double yellow lines and over gated driveways.”

She said she had been left feeling unsafe while having to walk some distance to her home late at night due to a lack of available parking spaces.

Miss Fudge, who has lived in the area for 17 years, said the issues had become “terrible” in the past six months.

It comes after South Gloucestershire Council introduced charges in its car parks in May. Residents said Royal Mail used to use Bank Road and Cecil Road car parks, which are close to its Kingswood delivery office.

Miss Fudge said she was concerned the issue will get worse as the council are putting yellow lines on Summit Close, Orchard Road, Edward Road, and Woodland Terrace.

The council said the temporary scheme will last for no longer than 18-months but “could become permanent” following a review of its impact.

John Smith runs Odds & Todds in Hanham Road. He said the issue had affected his trade as his customers were struggling to park.

“It’s disgusting that a big, multi-million-pound firm like Royal Mail just go and park anywhere,” he said.

He claimed that when Royal Mail staff move their work vans, they then fill the spaces with their own cars, meaning they do not ever become free for residents or visitors.