RESIDENTS on a Winchester estate are have been angered by the sudden appearance of anti-parking wooden stumps outside their homes.

People living in Stanmore say the dragon's teeth mean they can no longer park outside .

They are calling for the city council to remove them and convert the grassy verges into parking spaces.

Hamish McDonald, of Minden Way, said he had been told by housing officers that there would be a public consultation before any measures were carried out.

He said he returned from holiday to discover the posts erected by the highways team.

“Personally it does not affect me, I just feel strongly as a resident for 25 years we have a problem that Stanmore with parking. It is filling up with students and private tenants.

“The residents didn't want these stumps but the council has gone ahead and done it.”

Mr McDonald said the verges were laid when hardly anyone in Stanmore had a car. Now most homes have a car and some in multiple occupation have three or four.

A city council spokesman apologised for the mix-up which saw housing officers promise one thing and the highways department do something else.

Hampshire Chronicle:

“It was hoped that the council was going to consult the residents of Walpole Road who might be affected.

However before the council had a chance to do this, the Highways Department had gone ahead with installing the posts. Unfortunately the Highways Department was not aware of the proposed consultation. The council apologises for this.”

But he added: "There is a clear need for the dragon's teeth because of the risk to children and parents using the recreation ground on Walpole Road, which is on the corner where the dragon's-teeth have been located.

“It is a breach of tenancy conditions for residents to park on the green.”

He said the city council has received positive comments from local councillors and residents.