University campus parking row rumbles on (From York Press)

University of York campus parking row rumbles on

8:38am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

Harry Telfer: Said outcome was positive

PROBLEM parking on residential streets near the University of York has been discussed by residents and ward councillors at a specially-called meeting.

Kate Henderson, who lives in Yarburgh Way, close to the expansion of the University of York, said residents had been told traffic improvement measures were on their way, but it remained an ongoing problem.

Mrs Henderson said: “Some residents have lived there 40 years, and we’re just deluged now.

“Despite the huge university expansion, they are using our road to park on so instead of having the really open space to enjoy in the community we used to have, now we have just got a sea of cars on this narrow road. It’s completely intrusive.”

In July last year, a scheme to ease the parking problem in the area was launched by City of York Council.

Trial restrictions were rolled out across the Badger Hill area of the city while the University of York’s Heslington East expansion was built.

The council confirmed 24-hour waiting restrictions would be put in place at the junction of Deramore Drive and Yarburgh Way, and a road closure at the Badger Wood Walk end of Field Lane service road would be used to create a cul-de-sac.

However, Mrs Henderson said this scheme had not been successful, and the number of cars had not been reduced.

Residents had taken note of some vehicles being left in the area for three and four days, and had received abuse when they had asked people to move their cars.

Harry Telfer, of the Badger Hill Residents Group, chaired the meeting at Heslington Church on Friday. He said the outcome had been largely positive.

Mr Telfer said: “Because of the measures on Deramore Drive, parking has been displaced to Yarburgh Way, and the north side of Badgerwood Walk.

“The residents will respond by submitting a petition to City of York Council requesting that the parking schemes rolled out be extended to the whole of the area.”

A spokesman from City of York Council’s highways development department said some adjustments to the layout of highways had been taken on board following previous meetings with local residents and the Heslington Forum, and more consultation would take place as the scheme continues.

A spokesman for the University of York said: “The University encourages staff, students and visitors to park responsibly. We support City of York Council’s action in introducing measures to resolve parking issues in Badger Hill.”