New parking bays putting city motorists' reverse-parking skills to the test
LOOK over your shoulder, check your mirrors, and stick your car in reverse – new parking bays in Lincoln's Bailgate mean your driving skills will be put to the test.
As part of the ongoing £1.1 million Bailgate restoration project, new parking bays have been laid out near the old Roman gateway, and close to the Duke William pub.
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Many motorists are still driving forwards into the parking bays in Bailgate, which are designed to encourage drivers to reverse into them.
The previous parking bays, or echelon bays, were angled so that cars could drive straight in, and reverse out.
But the new parking bays require drivers to reach back into their days of driving lessons and remember their checkpoints, as the angle requires them to reverse park in order to get between the lines.
Les Outram, Bailgate Restored senior project leader at Lincolnshire County Council, said the new-angled parking bays were deliberate, to make the Bailgate area safer for motorists and pedestrians.
He said: "The safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians is our main priority.
"Therefore, along with the other improvements on Bailgate, we've taken the opportunity to update the parking bays in line with the national Department for Transport advice.
"This states such spaces, called echelon bays, 'should be arranged so that drivers are encouraged to reverse into them'.
"This is due to it being safer to back into an empty space than reversing out into moving traffic, particularly when visibility might be restricted by adjacent parked vehicles.
"This is also reinforced in the Highway Code which requires people to reverse into drives or minor roads so that they drive forward into the flow of moving traffic when leaving the space.
"We would encourage motorists to reverse-park, providing the safest means of both entering and leaving the bay.
"Temporary signage will be put up in the area, advising drivers to back into spaces.
"We would also encourage drivers in the area to be aware of this system and be considerate in giving other motorists the time and space to reverse."
Sharon Kay, 39, who works in the Duke William pub adjacent to the parking space, said the new pavement and road surface 'looked super', but added that the parking spaces might be better as they were before.
"I don't know why it's been changed, it was fine as it was," she said.
"It's not going to be easier to reverse in."
21 Comments
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by Gedge, Bassingham
Thursday, June 24 2010, 10:01AM
“Jesterthought, last sentence apart, does sum it up nicely. If your opposition to this is you have problems reversing into a parking space (and one that is angled to make it easy for you to do so) then the problem is yours.
Just because Rick isn't aware of any accidents occuring here - I presume he doesn't have access to all insurance claims, cctv footage for the area etc. - doesn't mean there hasn't been any shunts or near misses.”
by Steve, Lincoln
Thursday, June 24 2010, 8:12AM
“Jesterthought, Lincoln, so what you are saying is yours and only your comments count for anything on this comments page? Perhaps we should only allow you to post, would that make you feel better?
I have read some supercilious posts on here at times, but yours takes the biscuit.”
by Jesterthought, Lincoln
Thursday, June 24 2010, 2:21AM
“This is aimed at no one in particular, more a group issue.
My main issue here is the fact people openly admit they can not drive. This is shocking to think you could be on the road at the same time as me. If you read in the highway code (as the story states) it is advisable to reverse into driveways, minor streets to allow you to drive into full flowing traffic. The main logic for this is to prevent hold-up's and more importantly prevent accidents. Ok so there has not been a reported accident in the Bailgate for reversing out of a space but surely there is always time for a first???
Also I find it easier to reverse in adjacent to the pavement, because it means I have less risk of damaging other cars as well as my own when I am dragging shopping between two cars something no one seems to care about. Also if you have a buggy or wheel chair then again this makes more common sense surely (and before someone says I should walk in the road, it sets a great example of road safety to my children that one!). And one more very interesting point as made in comments earlier, there are TWO purpose built car parks within 2 minutes of the Bailgate, use them if this affects your daily life so much, but then again you are probably to tight to cough up the price of a ticket.
Why are people who comment on this site so pessimistic? Cat got your cream every morning? There is a big wide world out there and it revolved fine before you were around, it will revolve fine without your verbal input when you die. It inconveniences you? Maybe but to be fair, it won't bother 95% of people who use it so in mine and the authorities eyes you and your miserable comments are insignificant!”
by t foster, lincoln
Wednesday, June 23 2010, 10:50PM
“Complete madness. Yet again the council planers have no grip on reality. road and path the same colour, be a pain on any thing but a bright summers day. wont be long before pedestrian and car come together no doubt. Kerbs seem to be a bit high as well. Would be nice pedestrian only but that would really kill the traffic flow uphill and thats bad enough allready. its a shame really as this refit of the bailgate could have made it a much improved visitor area but i think an oportunity has been missed.”
by Si Kiatrist, Lincoln
Wednesday, June 23 2010, 10:29PM
“Oh dear "man avin a laugh" you do have some issues, don't you? I can see you're very angry and confused about your sexuality, but believe me, there's no need for you to feel ashamed of being gay. It's perfectly acceptable in this day and age so there's no need for you to be like this, with your outbursts of impotent rage and your lack of self-respect that has left you uneducated and drinking in down-market bars all day long. I suggest your first step is to contact the Lincoln Gay and Lesbian Switchboard on 01522 535553 and I'm sure they will provide you with all the support you need.”
by John, Santa Pola, Spain
Wednesday, June 23 2010, 7:49PM
“Some drivers are unaware there is a reverse gear !!!”
by Mrs Dixon, Bristol
Wednesday, June 23 2010, 4:24PM
“!http://www.the-spearhead.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/girlparking.gif!”
by Ian, Lincoln
Wednesday, June 23 2010, 3:57PM
“I thought reverse parking was part of the driving test now days. Mind you it says a lot about the standard of many people's driving ability if they can't do something and basic as reversing into a parking bay.”
by Mick, Dunholme
Wednesday, June 23 2010, 2:13PM
“I dare say that some will be completely bamboozelled by this parking method, and others watching will think its the pantomime season.”
by rick, lincoln
Wednesday, June 23 2010, 12:43PM
“as far as i know there hasnt been one accident at this spot while reversing out or driving straight into the space. (so why change it)
whats the betting that by the end of the year cars will be damaged due to peoples inability to reverse park properly.
(mind you watching some people trying to reverse park is quiet comical sometimes)”