Bellway residents 'out of options' amid parking 'frustration'

In a letter, endorsed by 49 people living in the Bellway Waterside development in Watford, there are complaints over a lack of normal and visitor parking spaces, as well as some flats having none allocated underground.

It adds that people are having to park 15 minutes' walk away, while cars can be seen on the pavement outside the development in Colnebank Drive.

No parking at any time sign in Colnebank Drive (Image: Sally Davies)

One person, Hannah, told the Watford Observer she is looking for somewhere else to live as she feels “out of options”.

According to the letter, parking restrictions have been put in place in the wider Riverwell development, of which Waterside is a part, which has added to the problem.

People without cars have also complained that “reasonable public transport” is not available, or is far away, and there are no shops within walking distance.

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Some residents have also claimed they were expecting different arrangements when they moved into Waterside, which opened in summer 2022, including parking set aside for them at Watford General Hospital.

Resident Sally Davies added: “The most frustrating aspect of all of this is that the landowner refuses to respond to communication from residents.

“These issues are having an effect on the wellbeing of people living here.”

Construction company Kier, Watford Borough Council, and Bellway were urged to “step up and liaise with this community”.

The Riverwell Development (Image: Sally Davies)

However, a Kier spokesperson explained it had sold the land in 2019 and is no longer involved.

A Bellway spokesperson said it is aware of the issues and all property owners were informed of the limited parking when they bought.

“Bellway acquired the land for development which already had detailed planning permission with limited parking spaces,” they said.

They added that issues were exacerbated by parking restrictions on the wider Riverwell development, introduced to alleviate emergency access issues caused by parking on nearby private roads “which were not designed for this purpose”.

Watford Borough Council and Watford General Hospital have been contacted for comment.