Council rules on parking in parks
A decision’s due next week on charging for parking in two local parks. Growth at the UEA has led to more pressure for parking in the area, angering some local residents.
Pressure for car parking has increased in recent years as the University of East Anglia has grown in size by 20,000 students. While students are encouraged to walk, bike, or to use buses, some who drive park on nearby residential streets or in the nearby parks. Complaints have been received by the council from residents who’ve had problems parking on their own street. As a result, a public consultation was carried out in March.
After reviewing the feedback, the council is looking into extending some permit parking and at restricting parking on roadside verges. In Eaton Park, parking will remain free but the council is considering a new term time restriction of 2 and a half hours between 9am-3pm. An automatic numberplate recognition system could be used in both Eaton and Earlham car parks, but pay and display charges won’t be introduced.
The Union of UEA students believe the university should review it’s parking policy, preventing students and staff who live on a direct bus route from being eligible for a parking permit. The union believes this would take the pressure off the spaces on campus, and alleviate some of the pressures on the local community.
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