National Highways has confirmed it is looking at ways to combat illegal parking on the A259 along South Undercliff in Rye and hopes to have controls in place this year.
“At present we have no powers in enforcement ourselves,” said Peter Phillips, a National Highways route manager. “We can’t go out there and enforce any of the parking restrictions.” He says enforcement falls to Sussex Police but acknowledged, “It’s not one of their core issues.”
He said the agency has been in discussion with East Sussex County Council about taking on parking responsibility on the A259. “We are working with the county council to get all our roads included in their enforcement.” Traffic wardens would then be able to ticket parked cars which they are currently unable to do.
He suggests that change could happen this year. “It won’t be immediate but I would like to think probably within six months. We want to get it done as quickly as possible because it’s the best way to get the restrictions enforced.” He acknowledged there was still a lot of consultation to do.
Pollution and traffic delays caused by parked cars on the South Undercliff were by far the biggest concerns raised by Rye News readers when we asked for questions to put to National Highways. Road signs along South Undercliff prohibit waiting between 8am and 6pm heading west, with double yellow lines on the opposite side of the road.
“It can be a real bottleneck,” said Peter Phillips. “It carries quite a lot of traffic, especially HGVs. A couple of those bends and the locations there don’t help either in terms of getting lorries through.”
Concerns were also raised about the safety of the road for pedestrians. “It’s the perception of safety, rather than actual personal injury accidents.” He ruled out any further pedestrian crossings. “I don’t think there are any locations down there where a crossing would be of a safer standard than what’s currently working.”
He said National Highways has plans for a safety study of the A259 and had regular meetings with both the police and councils. “In reality motorways are easier for us to look after compared to places like the South Undercliff. The challenges are constant there.”
You can read our first feature on the work of National Highways here.
Image Credits: James Stewart .
Parking outside the chippy on the wish street roundabout is also a nuisance. It’s a crazy enough roundabout without a line of random cars lining the pavement.
Pollution and traffic delays are also caused by the permitted parking on the main South Coast A259 between South Undercliff and the Fish Shop roundabout.
A pedestrian crossing with lights is urgently needed at the foot of Ypres steps, otherwise an accident will happen. Lights before the bend to the west.
While they’re studying pedestrian safety, please look at the area around the pumping station. At present there’s a locked gate, some railings, bollards and four parked cars, making pedestrian access to and from the Strand quay area difficult and wheelchair access impossible.
I don’t understand. Why can’t traffic wardens ticket there? Why is it police jurisdiction only when the rest of the town isn’t?
Anyway, this seems like good news – and long overdue.
“enforcement falls to Sussex Police” – not sure they know that, I was told by a PCSO that they can do nothing about it as parking is now a civil matter and they can’t even issue a parking ticket. This would seem to be borne out by police action over vehicles parked outside the chip shop – one offender was prosecuted for a bald tyre and incorrect insurance, one had his vehicle impounded for no insurance and no full licence – neither were issued parking tickets or prosecuted for obstruction or any other breaches of the Highway Code
I have highlighted this issue recently and clearly the profile is now rising, so can we get behind this and support it. However I am astounded that the parking regulations are only enforcible by Sussex Police and it is not a core priority! What is the world coming to? Why even bother to have these regulations in place if no body cares? I am sure that any poor soul who has been within a sniff of overstaying their welcome in a car-park in town and been slapped with a fine can fully see the injustice of this.
As for parking outside the chippy, it is not just the customers is it!
Perhaps an open letter from Rye News to Sussex Police and their inaction to deal with this situation is called for?
As I understand and I am not and have never been a lawyer, causing an obstruction with a vehicle on an A road (or any highway) is a criminal offence under Section 137 of the
Highways Act 1980 and Regulation 103 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. It involves wilfully obstructing free passage without lawful excuse, such as parking dangerously near junctions, blocking drives, or mounting pavements, potentially leading to a £1,000 fine.
Surely it’s time for Peter Phillips to look at the bigger picture in Rye, it’s not only inconsiderate parking in south undercliff, but many other areas in Rye, Strand Quay roundabout, the bottom of udimore road before the bend, outside the accountants by the Landgate tower, as for no more pedestrian crossings, he obviously does not live in the town, for the safety of pedestrians we need a crossing at the bottom of Rye hill, where accidents to pedestrians have happened in the past, one also on new road, and definitely one on south undercliff by the flats which was once colebrooks store. eventually probably not in many of our lifetimes, a bypass will be needed for this town as traffic continues to increase, something we were forty year ago denied by Nimbys, who objected to all the routes we were offered,
I spent 6.5 hours stranded on South Undercliff yesterday awaiting the Really Appalling Car rescue company. A terrifying experience with huge juggernauts pounding past, missing me by inches, selfish “me first” drivers, determined to barge through, blocking the road and road rage when they had to reverse to clear the gridlock. My car was one of several parked here. The sooner there are yellow lines both sides of this road, the better. Apologies to those who were held up due to my breakdown and thanks to the delightful Turkish people who made me tea.