Concerns raised over Corby parking ‘nightmare’ caused by for-sale cars left on road
Residents have voiced growing frustration over the number of cars listed for sale in a layby in Corby.
We visited Lloyds Road on Wednesday, October 14, to learn more about the issue.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said they are lucky if they can get a parking space.
They said that the problem had become “endemic” over the past three years, describing it as an “absolute joke” and that trying to park had become a “free for all”.
“It’s just unfair,” they said.
The resident claimed that up to 14 cars have been up for sale at any one time, with one Mercedes even left on the road for 18 months.
It has also been alleged that many of the cars advertised contain the same contact details.
Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, it is an offence for a person to sell two or more motor vehicles parked within 500 metres of each other.
It is unclear as to whether the vehicles along the road are being sold by one or multiple individuals.
The issue has also been causing a problem for nearby businesses.
Steven Allan, assistant manager at Kwik Fit, described the parking issue as “dire” and a “nightmare”.
The business has to use the layby due to a limited number of spaces in its car park and Mr Allan said it makes it difficult to move vehicles out of the automotive centre and can leave customers confused over where to park.
The 31-year-old said that the past few years have been an absolute nightmare, with the situation becoming worse over the past seven to eight months.
North Northamptonshire councillor Mark Pengelly is calling on North Northants Council to address the issue.
Cllr Pengelly said: “Residents are very, very unhappy that they’re coming home and they’ve got nowhere to park.
“You’ve got people that are traders that have to pay their rent, their rates for their electric and other things and they’re at a disadvantage when somebody can sell cars just on the side of the road.
“And it is a showroom because sometimes you’ve got 14 cars there.”
He added: “What we are asking the council to do is do something about this. It can’t be right what the people are doing there and what I want to ask the council to do is work with the people there and let’s find them somewhere to sell the cars so they can do it on a proper courtyard where people can then come and buy their cars off of them.
A North Northants Council spokesperson said: “In general, a private individual can park and advertise their own vehicle for sale on the road, providing it is legally parked, taxed, insured and has a valid MOT (where required).
“It is an offence (under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005) for a business to leave two or more vehicles for sale within 500 metres of each other on a road for the purpose of selling them.
“When the council is made aware of possible offences, we will investigate these on a case-by-case basis, using the powers available to us and when it is in the public interest.
“We would encourage traders to look at the Business Companion information on selling used vehicles, this includes information on their responsibilities and how to comply with the legislation.”