Concerns raised over ‘dangerous’ parking on Broadfield match days
Councillors and residents have raised concerns over dangerous parking in Southgate during football match days at Broadfield Stadium.
Cllr Michael Jones (Lab, Southgate), who is Crawley Borough Council’s chair of the Crawley Town FC Travel Partnership scrutiny panel, had received complaints from several residents.
He said residents had spotted dangerous parking at the junction of Brighton Road and Downland Drive, which meant a bus had to drive the wrong side of a traffic island to pass along the road.
At a public meeting on January 24 at Tilgate Community Centre, Cllr Jones expressed his concern to Sussex Police, and urged officers to perform further checks to prevent dangerous parking.
Cllr Jones, said: “Police have agreed to look more closely at the concerns raised. While this is welcome in the short term, it is becoming clearer that something more effective needs to be done. It is not just inconsiderate parking but dangerous parking, which is an offence.”
A spokesman for Sussex Police said officers are working closely with the panel.
He said: “Crawley police is aware of this issue and will be paying close attention to this particular area on match days.”
Cllr Liam Marshall-Ashcroft (Con, Southgate) agreed edparking in the neighbourhood was a problem.
He said: “It is a major problem particularly for residents on and around Wakehurst Drive, which has major parking issues everyday anyway.
“Along with my fellow councillors we have been trying to work with West Sussex County Council to find a solution and there are a number of projects under way.
“I agree that the our police and enforcement officers should be routinely carrying out such tasks. Laws are already in place to deal with illegal parking.”
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) recently came into force on the A23 Brighton Road banning people from parking on the grass verges.
But the general ‘inconsiderate’ parking issues in Southgate cannot be tackled unless another order is approved by the county council for surrounding roads.
A four week review of parking in the streets around the stadium is now underway.
A spokesman for the county council said: “Officers will now investigate the situation and make an assessment for the West Sussex County Local Committee to consider.”
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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