We’re stuck in our homes by idiot tourists who block our drives on seaside trips – we put out cones but they won’t stop
RESIDENTS of a coastal town have told of their fury at selfish tourists who leave them stuck in their homes by parking in front of drives.
Desperate local Vicky Griffith, 43, uses parking cones to dissuade oblivious tourists from parking in front of her drive in the Welsh seaside town.
The house is just 100 metres from the sea front at Penmaenmawr near Conwy in North Wales – a popular destination for holidaymakers and day-trippers.
When one thoughtless visitor moved Vicky’s cones and parked up opposite her drive, mum-of-two Vicky politely explained the situation.
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But the tourist flew into a rage, picked up one of the cones she had moved and threw it at Vicky’s head.
Vicky told The Sun: “Luckily it missed and landed on my driveway with a thud.
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“She could have injured me quite badly because they are pretty heavy and it was thrown with some force.
“Afterwards, I was really shaking and angry at the same time.”
Vicky – who has a son, six, and daughter, 23 – said she had initially asked the woman to move her car, which was “packed” with other visitors, “very politely”.
The mum is unable to reverse out of her drive if a car is parked opposite because it takes up all her turning room.
She said: “I’m not a rude or aggressive person and I’d simply asked her – ‘Please would you mind moving your car for me because I can’t get out if you park there?’.
“Because I have a young son, I need to have access to the road, which I explained to her.
“The woman just went nuts from the off.
“She was shouting at me and saying I was only asking her to move because she was a holiday-maker, except she used worse language than that, which I won’t repeat.
“I kept calm and replied – ‘Not at all, love, I just can’t get in and out if you park there’, but there was no reasoning with her.
“Next thing, she picked up one of the cones she’d moved to get her car in and hurled it at me.
“It whistled past my nose. I couldn’t believe it was happening. She totally over-reacted.
“She only had to move a couple of feet and I’d have been able to get my car out.”
Another cone, which had also been moved, was also thrown onto the driveway by the tourist.
The road is a parking hotspot for visitors, especially during the summer months due to its beach-friendly location.
There is a cafe, playground and paddling pool at the seafront.
PARK OFF
Residents say there is plenty of parking in the town – with 40 free spaces available in the nearby car park.
But that doesn’t stop tourists wanting to park even closer to the water – clogging up their roads.
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I have real difficulty parking at the front by my house during the summer months.
“I have to park in our overflow car park, which is far from ideal. I just wish people were more considerate!”
The community say they plan to lobby the town council to introduce parking restrictions.
One local added: “It should be permit-only all along here at the front, there are car parks for holidaymakers to use.
“The amount of times there are cars blocking all along the road by the tunnel as well – if a fire engine needs to come through we are screwed.”
One of Mrs Griffith’s near-neighbours, 63-year-old carer Janet Smith, said: “On a fine day everyone want to go to the beach so there can sometimes be a lot of cars looking for a parking space.
“I have lived here all my life and my mum before me lived nearby, and there is a huge difference in the amount of traffic nowadays.
“I’ve noticed a lot more tourists have been coming here since the pandemic.”
Her thoughts were echoed by Josh Cruckshank, who lives near a tunnel that connects the road to the beach.
He said: “It can get very busy down here, especially on sunny days.
“The road is very narrow and any inconsiderate parking will cause a problem.
“Luckily I can park my car behind my house, otherwise I’m sure it would be very difficult.”
Colin Clayton, a 68-year-old retired miner, said: “I like to see families come her to enjoy themselves at the beach by the sea.
“It’s good for them and brings business to the town.
“I’m sure there will be those who cause a nuisance but I have to say I have found people mostly polite.”
A Conwy Council spokesperson urged members of the public to “park considerately”.
The spokesperson said: “A legal vehicle has the right to park on public highway, without causing an obstruction.
“If a vehicle is causing an obstruction in an unrestricted area, this would be considered a matter for the police.
“We urge everyone to observe parking regulations and to park considerately and responsibly.”
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Earlier, The Sun revealed how furious homeowners are blocked in their homes three times a day by school run parents in Dudley.
And homeowners in Edinburgh told how “horrendous” drivers double park and block them in on their residential street.
