Relieved allotment holders have welcomed a deal reached with the City of Ely Council that will see them allowed to park their cars on playing fields adjoining their veg patches.
Back in December, the city council erected signs at the New Barns allotments, banning gardeners from parking on the playing field, citing safety concerns.
Representatives from the Ely Allotments Association lobbied the council to over turn the decision but councillors initially refused, saying that the cars posed a danger to users of the playing field, particularly young children.
However, after months of negotiation, the association managed to strike a deal with the city council that will see cars allowed to return to the playing fields, subject to conditions.
As part of the new deal, all plot holders who wish to park on the recreation ground will have to apply to allotment association for a parking permit.
Also, no vehicles will be allowed to travel across the field between 3:00pm and 4:30pm, from Monday to Friday, during term time, to avoid a clash with children leaving school.
A spokesman for the allotment association welcomed the deal, posting on the group’s website: “We consider this to be a very fair agreement, so please adhere to the conditions and do not give the council a reason to insist on a no parking policy again.”
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