Chaos on the coast
The police and council issued parking tickets to dozens of cars as people ignored the rules and headed to West Wittering, where one resident has set up a petition.
More than 800 people have signed a petition for the authorities to take stronger action against people dangerously parking on residential streets in West Wittering.
Sussex Police has issued a number of fixed penalty notices after visitors to West Wittering beach ignored the pre-booking parking system and warnings not to visit at the weekend.
Anyone without a prebooked parking ticket was asked not to visit the beach, as there is no other parking in the village, but this warning was ignored by some people who parked on narrow, residential streets.
Some people don’t think the fines will be enough of a deterrent, including Bracklesham resident Tracey Dale Ellis, who has set up a petition, hoping the voice of the public will lead to tougher punishments.
Some of the cars parked in residential streets in West Wittering
Tracey, a clinical manager for the Sussex Community Trust, said: “It’s about people’s safety, not only for residents but also visitors because the parking is totally out of hand. It’s probably a matter of time before there is an accident and somebody is hurt.” Having reached 860 signatures in just three days, Tracey added: “This, with our photos and videos, will hopefully be professional evidence to show our concerns and show that something needs to be done for the community’s
safety.”
Tracey said she has heard of elderly residents being reduced to tears because they haven’t been able to use the footpath, whilst mothers with babies and electric scooters riders are also being forced onto the roads.
Tracey said: “They need to do something to make it impossible to park on the grass verges or to increase the fines or tow away vehicles.”
To sign the petition, visit www.change.org/p/ mp-gillian-keegan-stopthe-parking-chaos-in-thewitterings-brackkesham-forvillagers-safety Sussex Police said it cannot enforce parking restrictions but officers are liaising with Chichester District Council to ‘encourage their proportionate enforcement to keep people safe’.
A spokesperson said: “However, police were called about a number of cars that were also dangerously parked, or causing an unnecessary obstruction. A number of fixed penalty notices were issued for those offences.”
The district council said its civil enforcement officers issued 85 notices to vehicles in the coastal area over the weekend.
West Wittering Estate said it was aware of ‘parking issues’ and called a meeting with local authorities to ‘discuss the matter further’.
The estate said it believes with continued advertising and communication, ‘more people will adopt’ the prepaid app.