Rodmill residents campaign for parking solution (Eastbourne and Willingdon Liberal Democrats)

Eastbourne and Willingdon Liberal Democrats <office@eastbournelibdems.org.uk>

Rodmill residents campaign for parking solution

November 24, 2008 12:00 AM

Nicola Grover with residents at St Clements Court Rodmill residents have come together again to support calls for the parking problems around their estate to be addressed.

Local Lib Dem campaigner Nicola Grover recently met with residents of St. Clements Court in Framfield Way to discuss the various problems they are experiencing, due to all the cars and vans that park outside the Court.

Nicola said, "St. Clements Court residents have very strong feelings about the parking situation around the Rodmill. Every time residents cross the road from St Clements Court to the shops, many feel they feel at risk. The trouble is the amount of cars and vans that park right outside the Court and all along the road leaving no gaps to enable people to cross safely. The congestion obstructs their view and this makes them feel very unsafe."

"Some time ago residents campaigned for a pedestrian crossing to enable them to reach Framfield shops without fear of getting hit by a car. Many local residents signed a petition, supporting the cause and these were presented to the Highways Department. The idea for better road signage was also discussed, but neither the crossing nor the road signage were ever implemented. This is a great shame as it could have alleviated a lot of the fears residents face every day because of the road congestion."

East Sussex County Council bosses have also indicated they are unwilling to meet with residents, to discuss different options over the congestion issue.

Nicola added, "Again this will be a great shame as many residents have expressed some very good ideas that may help to alleviate some of the congestion in their roads. 'Some residents are rightly worried about where double yellow lines will be placed and over the talk about the idea of residents' permits, which would force residents to pay to park near their homes. Worse still, residents would be forced to purchase visitors permits, costing them yet more money every time someone came to see them."

"It seems unfair that Rodmill residents should have to bare further restrictions and extra charges when the parking problems around the estate come from two sources - the DGH's staff and visitors trying avoid the expensive parking charges in the hospital's car park, and from the college - where it would seem that there are not enough parking spaces for the students and so they park down our roads."

"I agree with the majority of Rodmill residents, including those I spoke with at St Clements Court, who think that it makes much more sense to try and tackle the sources of the problems first and foremost and to discuss different options."

"I look forward to further discussions with the director of Transport and Environment, as well as with their parking manager, who assure me they will be monitoring the parking situation around the Rodmill. In the meantime I will continue to press for an open meeting between them and the residents so that the residents can have their say sooner rather than later."