FOR business owners on Manning Street, exhaust fumes from motor vehicles parking rear-to-kerb in front of their stores is an ongoing problem.
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This issue was brought to a head recently when a motorist parked a diesel vehicle out the front of Manning Valley Books and left the motor idling for 15 minutes.
The exhaust fumes filled the bookstore and staff found the resulting environment unbearable. Both staff members went home with sore throats and headaches.
Owner of Manning Valley Books, Nicky Stevens said she was out the back of her store when she noticed the strong smell of exhaust.
“When I came out to see what had caused the horrible smell, I was immediately concerned for my staff member at the front counter being bombarded with toxic fumes,” Nicky said
“The offending vehicle was parked directly outside our shop, with the motor idling for 15 minutes. The driver had gone into a nearby store and left the car running.
“It was totally unbearable. We both left for the day feeling sick.
“Even the next day when I opened the store, the smell of fumes was still strong,” Nicky said.
Nicky would prefer to see nose-to-kerb parking on Manning Street, but in the interim has decided to enclose part of her shopfront, to minimise the effect of the exhaust fumes.
“Because our store has a wide front, I feel closing it in further will help create a healthier environment inside the store.
“This should also help us with another problem, which is the sooty residue caused by exhaust fumes.
“We are constantly wiping black soot off our counter. This can’t be healthy either.
“Installing the glass panels will be expensive though,” Nicky said.
Greater Taree City Council’s traffic engineer, Richard Wheatley said council is aware of the issue, and agreed nose-to-kerb parking is usually recommended where there are retail shops and eateries.
“We are aware of these issues on Manning Street and it has been passed on to the consultants who are conducting the CBD traffic and parking study.
“While nose-to-kerb parking may be the way forward, we also have to factor in the safety issues resulting from nose-to-kerb parking – particularly the lack of visibility for motorists when reversing,” Mr Wheatley said.
