Many motorists sound like music to the ears: free parking. But in Deurne it causes problems. Because since paid parking in the center of the village has been abolished, there is hardly any place available. “I’d rather pay than having to drive all those laps,” it sounds.
Motorists circle frustrated around the Wolfsberg parking lot in the center of Deurne. If a place is released, they don’t know how quickly they should try to claim the coveted box. “It is busy here,” says Hendrie van den Broek in genuine Brabant. “You often have to wait a long time until there is a place, sometimes four or five minutes. And then people get frustrated and they will honk.”
Linda Adriaans is lucky this time. “I had to bring packages to the Bruna, that’s why I am by car. And luckily I have now found a place quite quickly. But you have to do your best for that. Because since you can park for free, many people have been putting the here All day long and then there are too few places for some shopping.
“I’d rather pay than having to drive all those laps.”
The parking chaos was created after paid parking in the center was abolished last year. It seemed like a great initiative, but it turns out differently because many people who don’t come to shop, do hold a place all day. Center manager Peter Thijssen recognizes the problem. “Especially on Saturday it is very busy. But actually during the week. We have entered free parking to keep the center attractive. Because in surrounding municipalities you can also store your car for free.”
But many residents of Deurne are fed up. Similarly Marleen van Deursen. “It has been so busy and chaotic here since free parking, from me they can enter a parking disc or have it parked again. I would rather pay than having to drive all those laps.”
“Patience is a good thing, especially in Deurne.”
Because the crowds ensure so many parking chaos and annoyance, there are measures for the Wolfsberg parking lot. “We want to make a blue zone on this square,” explains center manager Thijssen. “We also want people to park shorter in the streets around it. And let the parking garage use for free. That should solve the parking problem.”
The city council will soon be talking about these measures. Until that time there is nothing else to do but wait patiently. Marleen also won a parking space. “With a bit of patience, a place will be released. Patience is a good thing, especially in Deurne,” she concludes laughing.