Illegal car parking in Rye criticised by police

Sgt Dave Townsend believes most people park sensibly and considerately but a minority take the ‘selfish option’ and leave cars on double yellow lines or in bays for longer than allowed.

The officer’s survey showed there are 11 pay-and-display car parks available in Rye, offering some 865 spaces, plus 62 free but time-restricted spaces.

“One difficulty is that central Rye, known as the citadel, is on a hill and the public car parks all lie outside this area, albeit only a short distance away,” he said.

“It seems that many competing for on-street parking in the citadel simply aren’t prepared to walk or to make the climb to get there, and having once found a space then often keep it way beyond the specified waiting time.”

Sgt Townsend said many of those who offend have been identified as residents, including traders who ignore on-street waiting times to block bays all day, despite presumably depriving themselves and others of potential business.

Rother District Council is one of only two authorities in the south east not to enforce parking, and among 17 in the country to rely on the police to enforce on-street parking restrictions.

But Sussex Police and police and crime commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne have made it clear parking offences will not be pursued due to a lack of resources.

“Clearly it is a concern, but given the resources available parking cannot be a priority when compared to burglaries, violent crime, theft and anti-social behaviour,” Sgt Townsend said.

Former Rye mayor Bernardine Fiddimore chaired a public meeting with Ms Bourne and other police officers partly to discuss the parking issues in March.

The Rye Town Councillor urged people to not make the situation worse by parking inconsiderately.

“It staggers me, how many people feel it’s quite okay to blatantly abuse the restricted streets of Rye, in order to get their shiny pride and joy as close as possible to their desired location,” she said.

“Street corners, pedestrian crossing approaches, any pavement wide enough to park a car will do and of course the loading bay which is for lorries and delivery vans.

“Not for you madam, applying your make-up or you sir, ‘only waiting for a minute’.

“Everyone but everyone complains about the traffic and the parking in Rye but you can actually all be part of the solution, simply by not contributing to the problem.

“Think before you park, before you make a nuisance of yourself.”

Sgt Townsend hoped that by explaining the situation more motorists would see the sense in being more considerate and allow the police to better prioritise its resources.

“After all, who wants to be the one person in 10 who isn’t prepared to make some sacrifice for others,” he said.

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