A news item from the Croydon Times in 1954 highlights the growing trend for cars to be parked on the street, instead of in garages!

19th November 1954 Croydon Times via British Newspaper Archive

MORE CARS LEFT OUT AT NIGHT

WHEN a member complained at a meeting of Addiscombe Ratepayers’ Association on Tuesday that scores of cars are now parked in the side roads of the district every night, Coun. Eric Gurd said, “This is a matter more for the police than the Town Council but, as you know, the position is greatly aggravated by the shortage of car parks and garages. There are many cars left in the roads at night because people just can’t get garage space. There are a lot more cars on the road than there were and the police are reviewing the matter at the present time. There is a car which parked outside my front garden three days a week. I don’t know who it belongs to.”

Speaking at the presentation of safe driving awards to busmen at Stanley Halls, South Norwood, on Monday, the Mayor (Ald. Basil Monk) said, “A habit which is becoming prevalent is the parking of cars without lights in side streets. The people who do that are, in my opinion, very inconsiderate.”