IT’S been a long wait but residents on a busy Bournemouth street are now finally able to use a parking area that was built for them months ago.

A designated parking area was created in Fritham Gardens in Throop in January, to help residents who had nowhere to park.

But frustratingly, the spaces were sealed off and could not be used because of a delay in installing a dropped kerb at the site.

Months of correspondence failed to resolve the problem and it was only after Throop councillor Ron Whittaker kicked up a fuss and involved the Echo that workmen arrived on site and completed the job in just a few hours.

Cllr Whittaker, pictured below, said: “I could understand the frustration and anger at the ongoing delay.

“Residents were first consulted on the proposals last year and ward councillors contributed £500 from ward funds to the works in 2011/12.

“All it needed was the drop kerb and neither I nor the residents could understand the delay.

“It seems like there was a breakdown in communication and I’m glad that it has been settled now.

“But it’s a shame that I had to involve the Echo and copy in the council chief executive before anything was done about it.”

Michael Rowland, parks manager, said: “Work to complete a drop kerb at Fritham Gardens is taking place today.

“The drop kerb needed to wait until grass reinforcement works had been completed and new grass had had a chance to re-establish.

“Highways are currently working to drop the kerb and the space will be open next week.”