HUNDREDS of residents in Blackwood risk being booked by police officers just for parking outside their own homes this weekend.
People living in six streets near the Showfield in Blackwood have been told by Gwent Police they must find an alternative parking place this Saturday to prevent traffic congestion on the day of Bedwellty Show.
The same restrictions, which are set to affect between 400 and 600 homes, will apply over the August bank holiday for the duration of the Big Balloon Festival.
The police say they decided to enforce the no-parking restrictions on Beaumaris Way, Bedwellty Road, Greenwood Road, Cefn Road, Sunnybank Road and Lewis Lewis Avenue after traffic problems caused by visitors to Bedwellty Show and, in particular, the Big Balloon Festival last year.
But residents are enraged by the decision. Retired lorry driver Frederick Pendleton, 76, of Sunnybank Road, said: "I've had two strokes and am disabled - I'm no spring chicken, so where am I going to go?
"I think this has been handled badly by the police. Are they out to disrupt civility in life?"
Teacher Steve Brookman, 39, of Cefn Road, said: "There are a lot of people up in arms over this."
Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "I believe between 400 and 600 houses are to be affected, and yet there was a complete lack of consultation - I'm very disappointed with the police. If anybody is given penalty points because of this I have told the residents I will personally appeal about it on their behalf."
Blackwood Inspector Chris Hocking Brown said: "After last year's Bedwellty Show and Balloon Festival, police were inundated with calls and letters of complaint from the public about traffic management problems because the streets around the Showfield were being used as a public car park and causing a great deal of inconvenience to local residents.
"We have taken on board those concerns and decided on a number of things to make life easier for the residents.
"It is safety purposes, so not only will visitors be able to get in and out of the site quickly and minimise disruption to residents, but also emergency vehicles will not be impeded.
"Some people will inevitably be inconvenienced, but it is the best way of dealing with a difficult situation. We are looking for the co-operation of local residents to manage the event safely."
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