A RISE in the number of parking complaints has resulted in Safer Neighbourhood Teams in St John's and Bedwardine to issue some clarity.

A spokesman for the teams said: "We are now in an era where homes have more than one car.

"This can become a problem in areas such as St John's which simply did not account for this.

"In some streets there isn’t enough space to allow everyone to park in front of their own house.

"We are currently seeing a rise is the amount of parking-related complaints from members of the public.

"Can we please remind people that parking on a drop curb in front of someone’s drive way is an offence and your vehicle may be removed using police powers?

"Also a reminder that should you live on a street where there is limited parking, it is not ‘your right’ to park in front of your house if there is no designated parking spaces.

"Any member of the public may park in any street, providing they comply with other parking restrictions/ regulations and do not cause obstructions."

Things to be aware of while parking include making sure you are not on yellow lines or zig-zags at crossings, if parked slightly on the pavement, you are allowing a wheelchair to get past safely, you are not blocking someone's driveway or access.

"If these simple steps are followed this should reduce the amount of complaints we receive in St John's."

Parking around schools in St John's has also been an issue and letters have been sent to all schools.

"The letter details that parents, during school dropping off and picking up, should not be stopping on yellow zig-zags outside the school gates. Schools will be distributing letters as a warning to all parents.

Anyone seen stopping in these areas will be reported and fined.

"The zig-zags are there to prevent children being knocked down by vehicles so it is extremely important that these rules are followed."