RESIDENTS are demanding a solution to what they say are escalating parking problems outside South Tyneside College in South Shields.
Local people say traffic congestion has increased along St George’s Avenue since the closure of the Hebburn college campus 18 months ago.
This has resulted in many more students and staff parking in the residential area outside the college than before. The parking issues were raised at the latest meeting of the Riverside community area forum (Caf) at South Shields Town Hall.
One resident told the forum that up to 700 vehicles can travel along St George’s Avenue in 12 hours.
She said: “It has got worse with Hebburn college being closed.
“Many more students and lecturers are parking along St George’s Avenue, making it, in effect, a one-way road.”
Residents are also concerned that recent traffic surveys have not been carried out at peak times.
The resident added: “We don’t think the surveys have taken account of all the traffic and we would ask to please do the surveys in term time.”
A petition to the forum requested “that action be taken against the excessive volume of traffic and subsequent noise and disruption caused to residents”.
Forum chairman Coun John Anglin, accepting the residents’ petition, said: “A report on the petition will go to a future meeting of the Caf.”
South Tyneside College closed the Hebburn campus in Mill Lane in the summer of 2011, after maintenance costs rose to £500,000.
The site is now up for sale and town councillors have backed the land being used for housing.
Twitter: @terrykelly16
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