We moved from London to Rye last summer, keen to leave the hustle, bustle and rat race behind in favour of a quieter pace of life. Fresh air, minimal traffic and a general sense of courtesy were all part of the appeal.
One of the things we quickly came to appreciate was how rare traffic disruption felt. On the odd occasion that everything comes to a standstill, it is usually down to the railway crossing — a brief, predictable pause when a train passes through, once an hour or so – if you fail to time your journey well.
Lately, however, things seem to have changed. We’ve noticed an increase in cars and vans stopping or parking on the street — often for deliveries or building work at private homes. While understandable, this can sometimes do more than slow traffic: it can bring it to a complete halt. Rye’s roads are narrow, and it doesn’t take much to block them entirely.
The most concerning situations however are when vehicles are left parked on bends or corners, making it difficult to see oncoming traffic and to pass safely. In those moments, what should be a calm drive through town can become potentially dangerous.
I fully appreciate that parking in Rye is challenging, and that options are limited. That is unlikely to change any time soon. But is it unreasonable to ask for a little more thought about where and how vehicles are left? A moment’s consideration could help reduce the risk of accidents — preserving the sense of calm that many of us love about Rye.
Image Credits: Rye News Library .