A BITTER parking war has broken out between college students and housing estate residents who claim uncaring young drivers block them in and hinder emergency vehicles.
Furious householders say students from Truro College, Cornwall, are cramming cars into free street parking spots near a footpath into the campus.
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They claim residents in Centenary Way are regularly prevented from getting to work on time and some have had vital medical deliveries delayed because vans can’t get round congested corners.
They also accuse student drivers of:
*Swearing and hurling abuse when challenged over poor street parking.
*Removing traffic cones placed by residents and dumping them on top of cars.
*Jeering at locals, telling them: ‘Learn to drive.’
*Arriving at 8am to grab parking spots – adding to congestion in the morning rush
One woman, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, told Sun Online: “From certain students, it’s brain-dead disrespect every morning.
“When I was a student we used buses. This lot park where they like and don’t care about anyone else.
“Last week the rubbish collection lorry couldn’t reach us. Next time it could be a fire engine or ambulance.”
Another householder, construction supplies manager Richard Thorneloe, 41, said: “It’s getting worse and worse. People get blocked in all the time.
“If you challenge them all you get is verbal abuse. Jibes like: ‘Learn to drive’ or ‘Learn to park mate.’
‘BEDLAM’
“This should be a quiet estate but it’s bedlam during term-time.
“My children are aged 5 and 3 and I worry that they are being put at risk by students speeding off around randomly-parked vehicles.
“The college claims it is trying to ease the problem but we suspect they’re just not bothered.”
Web designer Nathan Wilkins, 33, said: “You can’t reason with the students.
“Their cars create a chicane in the road – a bottleneck which large vans and lorries can’t get around.
‘THEY SWEAR AT YOU’
“They swear at you if you point this out. People feel trapped in their own homes.
“If you call the police they’re not interested.”
NHS administrator Laura, who declined to give her full name, said: “Some students are incredibly rude when you point out the problems they’re causing.
“It’s £2 a day at the park-and-ride. If you can afford to run a car you can afford that.
“Recently a father whose daughter is acutely ill had to run up to meet his meds delivery van because their cars were blocking the street.
‘DANGEROUS’
“This is actually becoming a dangerous situation.”
And Rachel, a clinical psychologist at nearby Treliske Hospital, said she had been late for work on several occasions because of unthinking student drivers.
“Some residents put out traffic cones,” she said. “But then students just drive over these or plonk them on top of our cars.
“We don’t say anything any more because of all the aggro.”
Vet receptionist Emma Camps, 34, said: “I understand that students have to park somewhere. And some of them are nice.
“But when you can’t get in or out of your own driveway it’s really not on.
“You see them arriving at 8am to get a parking spot and then sitting in their cars eating breakfast for half-an-hour. This is a busy time when people are trying to get to work.
“They could walk to the college from the park-and-ride in that time.
“This could all be solved with residents-only parking permits.
“But because our road is still not adopted by Cornwall Council, that apparently can’t happen.”
Centenary Way, a cul-de-sac which was completed by Bovis Homes six years ago, adjoins the college grounds. It links to a footpath leading directly onto the campus.
Four-bedroom homes on the estate were originally marketed for £290,000.
A spokeswoman for Cornwall Council said: “We are currently in discussion with Bovis Homes about adopting the road and the potential to implement parking restrictions at the site, subject to public consultation.
“At the present time, any issues around parking should be reported to Bovis Homes.”
Sun Online has approached Bovis Homes for comment.
Truro College, which won ‘outstanding status’ in its latest Ofsted review, has over 800 full-time higher education students and around 8,000 16-19 year-olds on part-time programmes.
College spokesman Matt Bond said: “Truro College appreciates that traffic movement and parking are frustrating for the residents of Centenary Way.
“We are doing everything within our powers to ensure our students park their vehicles in a safe and responsible way.
“We support the adoption of a Resident Parking Permit scheme, which we understand Cornwall Council is currently working with residents on.”
He said the college had introduced:
- A numberplate recognition scheme to free up space for cars legitimately needing to park on College sites.
- Made two large, designated car parks available for student parking, on either side of the campus.
- Made parking permits free for students, removing any excuse that there’s a charge to park.
- Simplified the parking permit application process so students can apply online, by mobile or in person at reception.
However many residents remain unconvinced.
One pensioner, who declined to give his name, said: “Tell the College from me. Its students are a pain in the a***.”
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