Residents are riled as space chase hits streets
SWANSEA'S big student population means it is no surprise there is a problem with parking.
And with the new term now starting after Christmas, the city has to prepare itself for an influx of cars.
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Student union president James Houston wants dialogue between residents and students.
According to figures from Paragon Mortgages, Swansea ranks seventh in the top 50 largest student populations in the UK.
And while other universities struggle with the same problem, in Swansea public transport deals and calls for students not to use cars seems to be the only way forward.
But one nursing student at Swansea Metropolitan says for her and many others it is out of the question.
Stephanie Williams, aged 23, said: "I live in Skewen, so if I was to catch a bus to university it would take ages and I would have to change more than once. The train station is also miles from campus.
"It is just not worth it."
Miss Williams said she wished there were more parking facilities.
"There is only one car park for all the students in the city — the recreation ground, but it is costly on a student loan," she said. "Most of the people I know park in the Brynmill area."
And that is one of the main problems for residents living close to Swansea Met and Swansea University. Students frequently park in the streets near the campuses, taking up spaces outside homes.
Anne James, a Brynmill resident for 71 years, said parking was an ongoing problem.
"I think it is the universities' responsibility. Students should not be allowed to take cars," she said.
"At the moment, they make it hard for everybody."
Swansea University's student union president James Houston said they were aware of the frustrations of those living nearby and were trying to tackle the problem.
He said they had gone door to door on the streets where there were parking problems, asking residents about the issue and looking for ways of tackling the situation.
He said: "The response has been fantastic from residents and students.
"We do try to encourage students to use the Bright Orange Bus from First.
"We also encourage students not to bring a car and, if they do so, to get a permit."
But despite all the problems, there could be light at the end of the tunnel.
Vice-chancellor of Swansea Metropolitan University David Warner said a new car park for staff of 80 places might ease the pressure at the university's Mount Pleasant campus.
He said: "Hopefully there will be a knock- on effect and there will be a reduction.
"As far as I am concerned, it will not solve the problem. But it should make it a bit better."
He said the university had also worked with bus firm First to encourage students to use public transport.
A Swansea University spokeswomansaid: "We are not currently in talks with the council about providing additional parking facilities for the university.
"We currently recommend students and visitors to park at the recreation ground car park, which is just a short walk away."
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by Jo, Mount Pleasant
Thursday, January 15 2009, 4:59PM
“The student in the article said that the Swansea metropolitan Campus is miles away from the train station I think she just can't be bothered to walk up the hill! And if she does attend the Towmhill campus then they have pleanty of buses to get her there.”
by Sarah, Swansea
Thursday, January 15 2009, 12:34PM
“The main problem is that there are no buses that go through the uplands, sketty and brynmill that go to the university. The Bright Orange Bus has one set route from the student village through the university to the city centre. And if you live further away you need to get at least two buses to get to uni.
I used to live in the uplands as a student and would happily take the 20 minute walk to and from uni every day, but when it is raining and Singleton Park floods it seems pretty pointless to walk and get soaked when you can drive and quite easily and park in Brynmill skipping out on the massive lake that seems to appear from no where over night.
What people seem to be missing is that students are not the only culprits, most families have more than one car and can be just as to blame. As a student I found that most of my friends lived in houses where one or two people had cars if any at all, and in a house of 6 or 8 that is pretty reasonable.
There are often spaces available in permit holder only designated areas in Brynmill and Uplands, so are the residents complaining because they do not have permits and also park in the unrestricted areas?”
by ellie jey, swansea
Thursday, January 15 2009, 8:14AM
“move out is exactly what I did do, like Bob in Sketty, we were driven out, I couldn't take it any more”
by Nubbo, West Glam
Thursday, January 15 2009, 12:09AM
“There is enough room for a new University complex - campus -parking facilities in the now redundant borough disposal site in Derwen -Fawr!
The Council had plans to turn this site into a large sports complex in the early 90's but this did not materialise .!
OH,...but i forgot,? This site is most probably reserved for the best offer the Council will be able to get off Building developer's for posh new fancy housing for the privalaged .”
by Jo Waller, Uplands
Wednesday, January 14 2009, 6:53PM
“Thoughtless student parking in the Brynmill and Uplands areas has become the bane of many residents lives: garages are blocked; corners and junctions are made more dangerous by sheer recklessness and buses cannot travel along some roads. Perhaps the answer lies in limiting the number of multi-occupancy rented houses in Uplands/Brynmill, which would ease the parking woes and hopefully encourage families to return, which may go some way to recreating the community feel of the areas which has been sadly lost. I remember a time (not so very long ago) when students were not afraid to walk or take a bus to uni or college...”