Parked cars blocking cyclists between Winnham Drive and Rockingham Way

There are white lines painted on the road - advising that parking should not take place in order to keep access for cyclists free. However, these are regularly ignored and Route 236 is often completely blocked. This is most usual in the evenings when people have returned from work, and at weekends. Two cars parked next to each other, either on the Winnham Drive side or on the Rockingham Way side, cause a total blockage for cyclists, thus forcing a dismount and use of the pavement on foot. Riding on the pavement is tempting, but this is illegal and would obviously be dangerous. Dismounting interrupts the journey and should not be necessary due to the thoughtlessness of motorists.

There is usually plenty of on-street parking available further along Winnham Drive and Rockingham Way in each direction. In addition, most houses there have off-road parking for at least two cars. It would therefore seem that the official cycleway is blocked solely for reasons of selfish laziness. Replacing the advisory white lines with mandatory double-yellows, just at the point where the roads are closed to motorists, should ensure that the cycle route is not carelessly blocked by parking in future. This action should be simple, cheap and effective for the relevant authority to undertake.