RESIDENTS in Hatcher Street, Dawlish, are up in arms about thousands of pounds worth of damage that is inflicted on their cars on a regular basis.

Due to parking on both sides of the road, restricting the width, heavy goods vehicles find it difficult to negotiate the one-way road and usually end up damaging a few cars. It was only recently that a large truck knocked off five wing mirrors and one bumper.

Resident Mark Loram said: 'The road is far too narrow. Years ago everyone only had one car where as now they have two or three, so there is never enough parking for everyone. Cars are also wider as well.

'I don't know what could be done about this. Homeowners have already asked Teignbridge Council for residents only parking, but they said no a couple of years ago. If you can't park outside your own home, where do you park?'

Another resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: 'The road is too narrow for articulated goods vehicles. The problem of cars getting knocked and scratched happens all the time.

'Sometimes we have to go and park in the Barton car park, which we should not have to do as we are residents. Secondly, when we do get a space in the road, the car gets damaged.

'I have only had my car for two years and in that time I have had three wing mirrors knocked off and the side of the car severely scratched. One neighbour even told me that he would never buy a new car because of all the damage it would receive. I understand that it is not the driver's fault, as they have a job to do and see this road as access.

'What gets me is I spoke to the local services officer, Andrew Butler, who told me that a survey of the area had been done and "overwhelmingly, people did not want any change." I have been here for years now and I, nor any other residents have any recollection of this being done.'

Richard Paterson, another homeowner on the street said: 'The road surface isn't good enough for the heavy vehicles as they keep breaking our drains. They must have been fixed about 12 times in the last couple of years. I'm also on my third wing mirror.

'There should be width restriction at the bottom of the road with the exception for emergency vehicles and I also think that estate agents should warn people of the hazards in living in this road and the problems of getting removal vans up here.

'As for this so-called survey, I have never seen it. Nobody in the street has been approached by anyone, at least not in recent times anyway.

'I have sent emails to various councils explaining the situation but have got nowhere yet.

'If local parking is restricting movement, then something needs to be done. It is not us, but other people damaging our cars.'

The angry residents have sent two petitions to the county council urging them to take action.

Local services officer, Andrew Butler said: 'A survey was done about 10 years ago in which we tried to determine a solution to the problems. I believe that a proposal was put forwards but residents were not agreeing with each other so nothing could be done.

It is up to the residents to get together and decide unanimously what they want and then we will see what we can do.'

A meeting is to be held by residents to discuss what to do next.