Amazon Methley: Residents claim huge trucks blocking lay-bys in Leeds are damaging business
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Residents said that lorries are taking up spaces along roads near to the Amazon distribution centre in Methley that could be used for customers to local businesses.
One cafe owner said that his business has suffered as a result of an increasing number of HGVs blocking access to visitors.
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It is understood that Leeds City Council has put parking restrictions in place, but a member of the authority has called for more rigorous enforcement.
Amazon said in response that the disruptions “do not reflect the high standards” it has for drivers and that further action will be taken.
Stewart Golton, the leader of the Liberal Democrats at Leeds City Council, has met with bosses at the distribution centre following complaints.
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Hide AdHe said: “Lay-by facilities are designed to be a temporary refuge for all kinds of travellers to take a break, inspect vehicles, or access local amenities.
“However, anybody needing to use a lay-by in our area would have difficulty finding a space to park up as they are nose-to-tail with stationary HGVs, mostly in Amazon Prime livery.
“The problem is that if they are effectively being treated as lorry parks, and it is having a serious effect on people’s lives.
“I have a constituent who is in danger of losing his business as customers literally can’t park up at his premises. I have residents who complain of being kept awake at night by on board generators, and I have mourners unable to access family graves at Oulton Churchyard.”
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Hide AdLeeds City Council has proposed waiting restrictions through a Traffic Regulation Order for the Oulton Churchyard lay-by on the A642 Leeds Road. But Coun Golton said that such parking restrictions can only be effective if rigorously enforced.
Among those to raise the issue was Josh, who runs the Layby Café just off the Junction 30 roundabout. He said that he pays a licence to operate on a layby that already has a maximum wait restriction of two hours.
However, he claimed his business has suffered from an increasing number of lorry drivers who choose to park there for up to 11 hours at a time, blocking access for customers.
Coun Golton continued: “I understand that 12 fines have been issued in a month, and that’s just those that can be caught in the act, and that involves two successive visits.
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Hide Ad“It is clear that the problem needs to be addressed at source, and that meant talking to the businesses generating the lorry traffic, so I took up the issue with Amazon.”
He said that Amazon bosses told him there is a system for reporting inappropriate parking, which has been shared with residents.
A spokesperson for Amazon said: “We always strive to be good neighbours, and disruptions do not reflect the high standards we have for our carrier partners and their drivers.
“We regularly reinforce this with our partners and are taking further action to help address the matter.”
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Hide AdIn a statement, a spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are aware of the ongoing issues in this area and have been working to introduce a no HGV parking restriction in the layby adjacent to Oulton Church.
“It is anticipated that these proposals will be formally advertised on site within the next few months and, depending on comments received, the restriction implemented by the end of March 2025.”
The statement added: “With regards to the layby near to the M62 roundabout, we have implemented a restriction which prevents anyone parking beyond a two-hour period. This aims to alleviate parking congestion while also allowing HGV drivers to access nearby businesses.
“The Traffic Regulation Order governing this restriction is in operation, allowing for enforcement to take place when necessary. We remain committed to monitoring the parking situation and welcome any feedback from residents and local businesses.”
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