Residents' fury over parking restrictions in Bognor Regis

Two homeowners complained about the proposals for the Glenwood Estate.

The parking restrictions are being considered to stop some of the 1,200 or so students at the adjoining University of Chichester campus using the surrounding roads as a car park.

But Roger Caplin, of Hook Lane, said the lines were an over-reaction to the situation.

"The problem I see is that the lines are going to blot out 20 parking spaces that are used by residents all year round, 24/7.

"The university is only open for 30 weeks a year. Why should residents not be able to park outside their homes when the students are not there and there's no problem?

"It seems a sledgehammer to crack a nut to me," he stated at last week's meeting of the joint western Arun area committee.

He pointed out that the lines would merely dislodge the cars into roads where parking was allowed.

The lines are proposed by the county council to be put along kerbsides in Neville Road, two locations in Hook Lane and Mead Lane among other roads.

Cllr Francis Oppler, who represents the area on the county council, said the need to crackdown on parking arose because the students on the campus were leaving their vehicles in the wrong locations.

Buses had been unable to get around corners on occasion. There were fears that emergency services' vehicles could also become stuck.

"I agree with some of the double yellow lines going around some of the most dangerous bends, but I question some of the other lines," he said.

"We have got to draw attention to the ongoing problem of students parking on the Glenwood Estate.

"We need to put pressure on the university to make sure their students either do not park there and use its own car parks or the coach and lorry park opposite."

A section of the coach and lorry park was created last January especially for free parking by students and lecturers at the campus.

"This often only has a few vehicles in its spaces.

District councillor Paul Wells (Hotham) said: "We need to move away from being a talking shop and find a way with the university to get this problem resolved."

Cllr Christina Freeman, representing Middleton, said an official from the university should be invited to talk to a future meeting of the committe.

"It would be helpful for us to hear from them," she added. "I do share the residents' concerns but we have a good relationship with the university."

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP