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Chichester's new parking curbs 'nightmare'
Extensive new parking curbs for a busy approach road to Chichester city centre – described as increasingly dangerous and a 'nightmare' for lorry drivers – have been given the go-ahead.
West Sussex County Council's south Chichester county local committee heard about the worsening parking problems in St Paul's Road, a major commuter and bus route.
Committee chairman Cllr Mike Hall said he had driven a lorry
along it in the past.
"And driving a lorry up and down this road is a nightmare, with vehicles coming towards you," he said.
Traffic flow
The committee was told the road attracted high volumes of traffic throughout most of the day, and parked cars regularly interrupted the free flow of traffic, causing obstructions and delays.
"There are also safety implications as visibility for pedestrians and cyclists is also restricted," added a report presented at the meeting.
One objection had been received - that the proposal should go further, and introduce a residents' parking scheme in the area.
But this should be considered in 2010, as part of a review of controlled parking in Chichester.
Commuters
The report said that following a survey of the area, it was felt a minor increase to the existing restrictions would only result in commuter traffic migrating further up St Paul's Road, causing similar issues on the approach to Sherborne Road.
There had been two serious and three slight accidents in St Paul's Road area over the last three years.
The committee approved proposals to prohibit parking:
On both sides of St Paul's Road, north eastwards to just beyond the junction of Norwich Road and Sherborne Road.
In Little Breach, north east of Woodlands Lane, by 10m, to improve visibility.
Chris Lindsey, representing East Broyle Residents' Association, welcomed the proposals. "They've been a long time coming," he said.
"This road is becoming increasingly dangerous."
City councillor Richard Plowman said people were deeply concerned about an accident happening, and the yellow lines would be welcomed.
Area highways manager Steve Johnson said that as parking became more difficult in the city centre, so more vehicles had taken to leaving vehicles parked on the road all day.
But he admitted that the scheme would move the problem elsewhere.
"There is a finite amount of space on roads, and a growing number of cars," he said.
"We are moving vehicles further and further out, into areas they don't currently get to."
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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