Hamilton man's fury over Domino's Pizza parking problems

Feb 11 2010 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

Resident complains that parking a delivery at dominos Pizza in Duke street, causing chaos.

A HAMILTON man has called for a crack down on parking outside a town centre take-away.

Tony Carpenter claims that traffic is regularly being held up by Domino’s Pizza customers and delivery drivers entering and leaving the car park next to the shop in Duke Street.

In a letter to the Advertiser, Mr Carpenter said the problem was causing congestion and frustration for drivers at the Top Cross traffic lights.

He added: “Drivers coming and going from Domino’s Pizza in Duke Street frequently hold up traffic for minutes at a time and cause near accidents as they enter and leave the car park next to the shop.

“I have lost count the number of times I have been held up whilst drivers and customers reverse in and out of the car park and sometimes just block the lane while waiting to enter the car park.”

Mr Carpenter said that the situation has now reached a point where action will have to be taken by the local authority to control the position.

He continued: “The car park is too small for the purpose it is being used for and it’s high time that the council took a good look at this and put pressure on the owner to resolve the issue.”

A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Council’s roads department said that they have no knowledge of any problems at the road.

He continued: “We are unaware of this being a major issue and to date have received no complaints.

“Vehicles may at times be sitting waiting to enter the area to the rear of the shops, but as long as the engine is running and indicators being used, no Road Traffic offence is being committed.

“There are two lanes at this location, so vehicles are able to change lane, pass any queuing vehicles and re-join the original lane when it is safe to do so.

“This situation is no different from cars queuing to get into a car park.”

A Hamilton police spokesman also confirmed that they have had no problems at the site.

He said: “We have had no incidents reported in regards to there being any traffic problems at the Duke Street car park, nor any reports of road accidents at this spot.”

A spokeswoman for Domino’s in Hamilton said: “No-one has come into the shop and complained about any parking or driving issues.

“There has been no visits from traffic police nor from any council officials in regards to complaints about parking.

“Normally, our delivery drivers are very courteous to anyone leaving and entering the car park, and adhere to the normal road rules.”

She added that Domino’s would be “happy to enter into a dialogue” with anyone who felt there was a problem relating to vehicles.