‘Why should we pay to park outside our homes?’ - Chichester residents have their say about plans for more controlled parking zones

An informal consultation for new Chichester controlled parking zones (CPZs) was held in March last year and, having considered the responses, county councillors have decided that further consultation is appropriate. It runs until March 5. Read more about the proposals here

Observer readers have been having their say about the plans which include adding 15 new CPZs to the existing 11, some of which are being extended but no changes are proposed in the existing zones. There would be a mix of mainly permit-only parking spaces, but with some ‘shared’ with short-stay parking, especially near neighbourhood shops.

Lisa Willson argued that it was an ‘unnecessary expense for residents’, adding: “Make car parks more affordable for commuters and allow residents to park outside their own home without being charged for the ‘privilege’.”

Vixy-Faye Harrison thought it was a ‘ridiculous proposal’. She argued that it would put people off coming to Chichester out of fear of receiving a parking ticket ‘wherever you park’. 

Steve Robinson said it is already ‘well out of control’. He wrote: “Charge for the city centre, outskirts should be free. If people want to park out there and walk into town then so be it, all there doing is pushing people away from Chichester.”

Michelle Broughton asked why there couldn’t be free parking permits outside houses. She added: “Then people would have to pay for their parking in town instead of residents not being able to park outside their own house.”

Stephen Holman Parking agreed that parking outside your house ‘should be free’. 

Sue Catlett wrote: “Instead of extending the CP areas, extend the North Gate and Cattle Market car parks by adding one or two storeys. Insist the hospital make their’s multi-storey too.

“Use space beside the A27 for cheap employees’ park and ride — don’t just fill it all up with yet more retail and housing.

“Extending the CP limited zones will make it more difficult for people to be visited.”

Billie Ellacott claimed that it was ‘another money-making exercise from the council’.

Tony Morris had a more positive view about the proposals. He said it was ‘not about making money’ and argued that it is evidence of the county council ‘responding to complaints’ from residents about their roads being used by non-residents for daytime parking.

He added: “Some of that parking also blocks access for buses and emergency vehicles. That is why suggestions of expanding car parks won’t work, as the people parking on the street will continue to do so to avoid car park charges.

“I don’t particularly like it but I can’t see another option all the time people working, studying and visiting Chichester choose to use cars but won’t use car parks.”

Trevor Harris thought it was a ‘great idea’, adding: “No more parking for city workers in my road — brilliant, well done.”

There could be an option to ‘phase’ or defer the implementation of zones where there is less support for what is proposed, or where problems are currently minimal. More details, including maps of the proposals and how to have your say, can be found at www.westsussex.gov.uk/chiparkingplantro.

Copies are also at Chichester Library and East Pallant House.