Cut-price parking offered to students

Those studying at the University of Chichester are set to be allowed to put their vehicles in a central site for just 20 a year.

Arun District Council is about to launch the scheme for the London Road coach and lorry park.

This is located on the opposite side of Upper Bognor Road from the university's campus in the town.

The agreement is aimed at solving the problem of some of its 2,000 students parking in roads around the university.

Upper Bognor Road resident Enid Davies said: 'This is a very good idea. People have been getting really frustrated about this situation. Some of those on the Glenwood estate have not been able to get out of their drives.

'The bus drivers are saying they can't get round the corners around here because the cars are parked on them.

'There is bound to be an accident at some point. If the students park in the coach park, that will not happen.'

County councillor Simon McDougall said: 'The current situation does cause a lot of parking problems in and around Mead Lane and the Glenwood estate. This does seem to be an extremely sensible solution to what is becoming a nuisance to the people there.'

Backing for the scheme has been given by councillors from parish, district and county councils.

The final go-ahead needs to be given by Cllr Paul Wotherspoon, who runs Arun's environment services which includes car parks. He is expected to launch it for the current academic year as a trial.

District council resources director Nigel Croad told the councillors that the coach and lorry park was well suited for its new purpose.

'It is not considered that student use will conflict with current use. Students will predominantly use it between 9am and 6pm Mondays to Fridays, whereas lorry use is overnight and coach use is in the summer months,' he explained.

Statistics from the council showed 1,115 tickets issued for the coach and lorry park in the year to last March. Peak month was August with 204 tickets and the quietest was December at 35.

The university is to be given advice by the county council about compiling a green travel plan. County officers will also see if improvements can be made around the university campus to promote cycling.