RESIDENTS have voiced their frustrations over increased traffic and inconsiderate parking in their quiet cul-de-sac which leads to a football ground leased by Richmond Town Football Club.

Swalegate, in Richmond, leads onto a playing field which is regularly used by the football club for youth training and matches – but residents say the volume of cars parking means their drives are often blocked and they fear emergency service vehicles would not get through if needed.

Residents closest to the field, which is surrounded by shrubs, said they are also frustrated that pruning of the shrubs is no longer of a high standard.

John Heaney, 80, said he has lived in his property for 18 years, but for the last four years since the football club took over the lease of the field and surrounding shrubbery he has experienced problems.

“When the council looked after the pruning of the bushes it was done professionally with a tractor and none of the offcuts fell into our garden.

“Now it is only done once a year with a hedge trimmer and it gets to a height of around 10 feet, and all the offcuts fall into our garden. It is just too much for me to have to clear it up so we had to pay someone to do it last year.

“The increased traffic on match days means if an ambulance needed to get to one of the houses near the entrance to the field, paramedics would waste time trying to find out which cars were blocking the way.”

Neighbour Deborah Waller said her main concern was the parking.

She said: “It is great the children use the field for sport, but I just wish that some people had more consideration in parking. I’ve had occasion where I haven’t been able to pull onto my own drive."

Richmond Town Football Club chairman Jonathan Rutherford said the club took the residents’ concerns seriously and was already addressing the matter of the parking.

He said: “We want to maintain a good relationship with residents and we are already trying to marshal parking near the entrance to the field. It is difficult with the entire estate as there are no yellow lines, but we will try to make sure the driveways are kept clear and coaches are aware. We also intend to cut the shrubs from the border of the field this year.”

He said the club has planning permission for a new pavilion on the field, and to extend the car park.

He added: "We consulted with residents and changed our initial plans after listening to feedback. We are very open to hearing from them."