COMMUTING motorists who are flooding a conservation area with parked cars have sparked fury in Dorking.
Michael Bruinvels, Deepdene Gardens Residents' Association chairman, said double yellow lines painted in Chart Lane last month had led to a surge in drivers descending on the Cotmandene area.
The father of three said: "For some crazy reason, during the Easter holidays the council has put double yellow lines the whole way along Chart Lane, which is where all the shoppers and workers parked.
"Nobody knew about it – the lines appeared more or less overnight. Since their arrival, the whole of the Cotmandene area now has a constant procession of cars driving around looking for somewhere to park."
He added: "Any time there is a space, or even a hint of a space, people try to push into it. It has always been bad but it has worsened."
The retired accountant, who has lived in Deepdene Gardens for more than 50 years, said residents' cars were being damaged in the scramble for the few available spaces, as were many features which give the area its particular character.
He said: "There has been extensive damage to the grass verges along the edge of The Dene, and to pavements, kerbs, hedges and fences all around the surrounding roads.
"There's a large area of green open land and no one is supposed to park on the verge, but now you see people parking all over the grassy verges to avoid the double yellows.
"It's eroding them terribly and it's a conservation area so we're very concerned."
Calling for the lines to be removed, Mr Bruinvels said he feared the situation would worsen during works to redevelop the former police station in Moores Road.
The retired accountant added: "People in Chart Lane, Dene Street and St Paul's Road should all be objecting as well."
Surrey County Council spokeswoman Joy Ridley said: "The new double yellow lines were installed to reduce parking on this part of Chart Lane which was causing obstruction.
"Our consultation was primarily targeted at the Chart Lane area where residents were supportive.
"Deepdene Gardens is some distance from Chart Lane, and we do not usually consult with residents so far from proposed parking restrictions.
"Parts of Chart Lane are very narrow and there are two junctions in the area where the restrictions are.
"We will monitor their effectiveness and their impact on parking in the surrounding area over the coming months.
"If changes are needed they will be included in the district-wide parking review to be considered by our Mole Valley Local Committee in June.
"In the meantime, we ask drivers to park responsibly and considerately, and to bear in mind that Surrey Police may act where parking is obstructive or dangerous."
