A COMPROMISE has been struck in a wrangle over parking restrictions on streets in Blackwood in the run-up to this weekend's balloon festival.

The move comes after the Argus revealed how locals feared they wouldn't be allowed to park outside their homes when police delivered up to 600 leaflets to numerous streets, warning of restrictions around the Showfield site in Blackwood before Bedwellty Show.

Contrary to what was initially stated, many of the streets covered by the restrictions only had cones on one side of the road, allowing residents to park in their normal places during last weekend's event.

Police officers have been knocking doors this week to explain the restrictions that will be in place this weekend for the Big Balloon Festival - and residents say they are now happy.

Steve Brookman, a 39-year-old teacher from Cefn Road, said: "Originally we were given leaflets saying parking would be restricted on both sides of the road.

"We were quite relieved to find out they didn't do this because it meant we were able to park outside our own homes."

Retired lorry driver Frederick Pendleton, 76, of Sunnybank Road, said: "I was 100% pleased with how the parking restrictions went on Saturday.

"I got up early on Saturday to see if I would have to move my car, and was surprised to find out I didn't have to as they only put cones down on one side."

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "I didn't get one call of complaint after Bedwellty Show last weekend, but before the event residents were under the impression from the leaflets issued by police that there would be an epidemic of cones and they wouldn't be able to park outside their own home.

"I'm glad to say that police took a reasonable approach to policing of Bedwellty Show."

Chief Inspector Colin Jones, of Blackwood police, said: "We are pleased that the policing of Bedwellty Show went well last weekend, and there was only one parking ticket issued and that is currently under review.

"We are asking people for their understanding and co-operation again this weekend because there is a potential for a large numbers of visitors to the site and we have to have a facility for emergency vehicles to get in and out should anything happen."

He added: "We are trying to get the message across to visitors to the site that they can't just park where they wish when an event of this size is being held."