Parking restrictions on way as university prepares for growth

Householders living in neighbourhoods close to York University have voiced mounting concerns over problems with parking outside their properties as they compete to find spaces with the soaring numbers of students.

The number of students at the university is predicted to reach 15,000 within the next decade – a 50 per cent increase on the figures from 2003.

York Council officers have now drawn up proposals for a new strategy to introduce parking regulations in the Badger Hill estate, which neighbours the university’s multi-million pound Heslington East development.

The plans are due to be considered by the Labour-run council’s Cabinet member for city strategy, Coun Dave Merrett, who admitted that the need for tougher parking regulations in the area was long overdue.

He said: “This is a matter of considerable concern for residents living close to the university as there has already been an increase in the number of students, and this is set to continue over the coming years.

“It does need to be addressed, and it is something that I had been calling for while Labour were in opposition. I welcome the chance to now be able to address the issues that will affect hundreds of homes near the university.”

The plans include limiting the waiting times for parked cars and a residents’ permit scheme to tackle the worst blackspots in cul-de-sacs in the Badger Hill estate. The residents’ parking scheme would instigate a system of issuing one permit per property with no permits for visitors, and would be enforced between 10am and 2pm from Monday to Friday.

Under the proposals to be considered by Coun Merrett on Tuesday next week, the permit scheme could be extended to all streets in the Badger Hill area if necessary.

However, there are no plans to take action on roads near to local shops amid fears that business could be eroded, although council officers have stressed that the situation could be reviewed if problems persist.

The expansion of the university is seen as key to bringing further economic growth to the city, but it has also exacerbated problems with York’s residents.

The Yorkshire Post revealed in November last year that a campaign was being launched to get students to take more pride in their neighbourhoods after complaints about fly-tipping and anti-social social behaviour. York Council joined forces with the university’s students’ union to stage a series of events to try to get undergraduates involved in community projects.

But parking still remains one of the biggest issues, prompting the proposed strategy to impose new restrictions. However, a university spokesman maintained that an annual parking survey was carried out to monitor the roads close to the campus.

The spokesman added: “We are committed to working closely with York Council to resolve any points of concern raised both through our surveys and feedback from residents.”

The overall expansion will increase student figures by 5,400 – the equivalent of more than 50 per cent – and bring 2,000 jobs, as well as 2,500 research posts. Housing for 3,300 students is also being built, along with sports facilities, 1,500 parking spaces and research institutes.

League tables place York in the top 100 universities in the world, but it is hoped the development, which is due to continue until 2020, will ensure its global reputation is enhanced even further.

The Yorkshire Post revealed yesterday that the Ron Cooke Hub, which sits at the heart of the campus expansion and will provide research facilities as well as space for start-up businesses, is due to officially open on Friday.