A ROW over parking has divided a street in Bridgwater causing 'bad blood' between neighbours on opposite sides of the road.

The issue stems from the positioning of double yellow lines on Penzoy Avenue, which residents on the west side of the road believe to be unfair.

"It is a problem that has been building since the first dropped kerbs were put in 15 years ago," says resident Sharron Bryant.

"Now there are double yellow lines on our side of the road there is nowhere to park - whereas the other side of the road which has bigger drives can park on their side, it has really divided the street."

There have been issues over parking on the double yellow lines and parking in front of drive ways which have caused rifts in the street over the past few years.

Sharon's neighbour John Russell said: "We have been campaigning on this for years and it just feels like we are being fobbed off."

But now Somerset County Council is looking to move the double yellows across from one side of the road to the other.

A Somerset County Council spokesperson said: “Having listened to residents’ concerns regarding parking issues in Penzoy Avenue we advertised changes to the existing arrangements inviting comments and objections from local people.

"While some objections were received a significant number of residents supported the changes and a decision to implement them has now been taken.

"We are currently in the process of writing to residents to inform them of the council’s decision.”

The new layout would see the double yellows moved across the road but with some retained to create passing places.

However those on the east side of the road say this could cause problems as they will struggle to get off their drive.

Denise Webber said: "I am against moving the double yellows. It will make it hard for us to get our car off the drive. It is quite narrow and if there is another car parked opposite there is very little swing room at all."

Hilary Dyer, who lives along from Denise, said: "There have been meetings on the other side of the road but they do not involve us. If there are no cars on our drive some neighbours will park across them on purpose due to a legal technicality. It has meant the police have had to come out on occasions.

"They seem to think it is their right to park outside their homes but it doesn't work like that."

Lionel Porter, another from the 'Even' side of the road, added: "We have lived here 52 years but now we feel like aliens in our own street. It is like this side of the street does not belong."

Somerset County Council said it would inform residents of the changes in due course, but Mrs Bryant said: "We have been waiting years for these changes - I will believe it when I see it."