Volunteers are being forced to park illegally to deliver meals to some of the territory's most vulnerable residents.
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Motorists parking for hours in time-restricted car parks in the Woden Valley have prevented some Meals on Wheels - now LINCS - volunteers from parking outside the houses of clients in order to deliver their meals.
Manager of community nutrition programs Penny Stokman said volunteers have had particular trouble in Lyons and near the town centre.
"We're finding a lot of clients opposite Woden Plaza - public housing - are finding it really difficult to get a park and in some streets in Lyons. We've put this down to the fact people are parking there and going to work around Woden," she said.
"Volunteers are at a premium, so we can't always send two people. When someone is on their own it's much more difficult. If there are two out at least the driver can keep on driving. The one volunteer has got to stop somewhere and go in. A lot of the time they feel that because they have to deliver the meal, they have to park illegally to do that."
The ACT government has cracked down on parking in time-restricted spaces in the area. A spokeswoman for Simon Corbell said there had been 28 formal warnings and 131 parking infringements issued between July 1 and October 30 this year.
"Roads ACT, in response to community complaints, has upgraded street signage in this area that clearly identifies where vehicles can legally park and the time restrictions that apply," the spokeswoman said.
"Parking Operations has increased patrols to ensure motorists are complying with recently installed signage."
However, the Canberra Liberals believe more needs to be done.
Spokeswoman and Member for Molonglo Giulia Jones said several of her constituents had voiced concerns about services accessing clients in the suburb, including Staverton Place.
"It is not good enough that meals on wheels cannot deliver to people in need because the Government is failing in its parking management," she said.
"The ACT Government needs to act to make sure parking zones are being used appropriately.
"People should be able to go about their lives without this sort of hassle."
Woden Valley Community Council vice president and long-term Lyons resident Mike Reddy said there was an incentive for town centre workers to park in residential areas to avoid paying for parking. However, over the years the government had gradually restricted parking on a lot of streets.
He said the worst area in Lyons for illegal parking was at the Lyons shops, which prevented customers from accessing local businesses.