RESIDENTS of a housing estate in Cirencester are calling for a nearby college to resolve an ‘intolerable’ parking issue outside their homes.

Brian Robbins, 76 and of Chesterton Park, puts the problem largely down to the parking habits of students from Cirencester College (CC), who allegedly park their cars on Chesterton Lane outside the homes of many overwhelmed elderly residents.

“Over the past few weeks the student parking has become intolerable,” said Mr Robbins. “We are all aware that parking on public roads, where there are no restrictions, is perfectly legal but in this instance we get parking on footpaths, blocking residents’ drives, parking way out from the kerbs and right on road junctions. We are just waiting for an accident to happen.

“At present, both us on Chesterton Park and Smiths Field are gridlocked, not being able to get in or out from our homes because of the cars parked on Chesterton Lane and the volume of traffic turning off the Tetbury Road.”

He said he has contacted the college “who [as far as he knows] in turn are trying to arrange a meeting” with relevant councillors, and he is hoping “all agencies” involved can work together to find a solution, which “cannot come soon enough.”

Libby Reed, vice principal of CC, said the parking issue is largely down to the building and road works in and around the college which will finish in July, something she explained to all residents last summer in writing.

She said the college is open to meeting with councillors and residents to further assess the issue, while she is meeting with Cllr Ray Brassington, Cotswold District Council member for Four Acres ward, on Friday (April 29).

“We know this is a major problem and have expended much time and energy on it; we had hoped maybe residents could have permit parking in Chesterton Park but have been told by councillors this is not suitable.

“Chesterton Lane has recently been the scene of dangerous parking; we are very sympathetic to residents but are limited as to what we can do.”

She said 31 coaches currently drop off students onsite to help ease the traffic flow, while the college is continually introducing feasible solutions, including the already in place subsidisation of coach fees by over half a million pounds as well as releasing extra spaces onsite when they become available.

200 spaces are currently available onsite.

“We have absolutely no jurisdiction on the highways to restrict parking, fine and clamp and we have employed parking consultants, who tell us that we do not have a legal right to demand our students do not park legally on de-restricted public highways.”

She added that the college refers the number plates of every car reported to be parked illegally to the police, but pointed out that not all offending cars belong to students, while those that do are displayed on big screens on the campus to name and shame culprits.