Fines for 'inconsiderate' parking after ambulance struggled to access Stanmer Village

The council said parking on the main driveway has caused problems for park users and residents, and those being found doing so could be fined £100.

The move follows concerns from park users, businesses and residents about safety, after 'inconsiderate parking' recently caused problems for an ambulance trying to get to Stanmer Village.

Stanmer Park has some limited parking available in designated car park areas on Stony Mere Way and off Ditchling Road. Restricting the parking to these areas also enables access for the 78 bus and Stanmer residents.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairman of the environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “We understand the difficulties people have in finding a parking space, but we must put the safety of visitors to the park and the accessibility of emergency vehicles first.

“We have received complaints from Plumpton College, Stanmer House, the Tea Room, South Downs National Park Authority and residents who have all aired their concerns regarding the current situation.

“We are working with all park users and neighbours, including the universities, to address the problem long-term, but the need to find an immediate solution was demonstrated a few weeks ago when an ambulance took more than ten minutes to pass through the park.”

Warning signs were erected last week, and the local authority has tasked private contractor One Parking Solution Ltd to enforce the parking ban, although it said it was a 'temporary arrangement while the council investigates solutions to control parking long-term'.