SWANSEA students are using the streets of Townhill as a giant car park, residents claim.

Fed-up members of the community say that during term time, roads are jammed with cars belonging to students from Swansea Metropolitan, Swansea College and even Swansea University.

Pantycelyn Road resident Raulph Tadman said: "It has been going on for a long time and nobody at these establishments gives two hoots."

The 82-year-old added: "I can't park outside my own house, nobody visits me because there is nowhere to park.

"When the students are coming out of college you can't move on the road.

"The problem has been made worse by the fact that campuses are charging students for parking.

"They say they are only interested in providing education and not parking, but in truth they want to make some money."

Swansea Council said it was aware of problems surrounding Townhill Road and Pantycelyn Road, which lie near both the Swansea College campus and Swansea Metropolitan University campus.

A spokesman for the authority said: "Laybys have been introduced to increase on-street parking.

"Dedicated parking bays are usually introduced in areas where there is little or no off-street parking.

"This is not the case in Townhill Road, where the majority of houses have off- street parking."

But according to taxi driver Peter Harris, who lives in Pantycelyn Road, the problem is getting out of hand.

He said: "It is ridiculous, whenever I finish a shift I simply cannot park my car.

"Why would the college campuses not provide enough parking spaces for the students who use them?

"They are using our streets like a car park."

The Metropolitan University in Townhill charges students for parking.

But nobody at the campus was available for comment on the claims about Townhill.

A spokesman for Swansea College said: "Swansea College does experience problems from time to time with parking as we only have limited spaces available on site.

"We encourage staff and students to use public transport, or to walk or cycle to college if they can, and we operate a successful bike purchase scheme for staff.

"If, however, staff and students do have to park on surrounding streets they are advised at all times to park legally and with consideration towards our neighbours. The penalties for not doing this are frequently pointed out."

A spokesperson at Swansea University added: "The university makes every effort to ensure that cars are parked legally. Where an offence is committed and reported, the relevant authorities ensure appropriate action is taken."

sion.morgan@swwmedia.co.uk