The decision to abandon the proposed parking restrictions outside St John's Church at Bierley is a welcome move by Bradford South Area Panel and a victory for quiet common sense.
The yellow lines were at first thought necessary as part of a road safety scheme to pave the way for a multi-million pound Asda superstore being built nearby. However, as the vicar of St John's and members of his congregation pointed out, many worshippers - particularly the elderly and the infirm - would have been badly hit by not being able to park immediately outside the church.
In too many cases, it seems, important major developments designed to benefit the majority of the community - like this new store, which is also expected to bring 170 new jobs to the district - are allowed to do so at the expense of some existing organisations and individuals.
It seemed initially that St John's Church and its congregation were going to be among those victims - until the Reverend Ian Lane wrote to ward councillors to point out the serious impact that the yellow lines would have on access to the building and said that he and his parishioners did not see any compelling reason why the proposed arrangements could not be modified.
And the Council agreed. Now the plan has been amended so that weddings, funerals, christenings and normal church services can go ahead without any disruption from parking arrangements.
It is a great shame that other areas of potential conflict between the Council and members of communities cannot be dealt with in a similar reasonable, civilised manner.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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