RESIDENT parking zones and on-street charges are one step closer, following a decision by senior Arun councillors.
With Sussex police pulling its traffic wardens off the streets of Arun by the end of next year, the council has opted to take over parking enforcement on behalf of the county council, and the move could see controlled parking zones (CPZ) in Arundel by April, 2011, and
Littlehampton by September, 2011.
The same dates will see Arun parking officers taking over enforcement duties on the streets of the two towns, with powers to issue tickets for illegal parking.
Speaking at a meeting of the council cabinet last week, councillor Paul Dendle said: "We have had parking anarchy in Arundel for the last seven years.
"In Littlehampton everyone parks on double yellow lines, and no one gets done for it. Streets are blocked up by people parking there all day."
The scheme could stretch into Rustington, East Preston and Angmering, but Chris Barrett, West Sussex County Council's parking contracts manager, was keen to emphasise that all changes, including residential zones, would be subject to a public consultation.
"A controlled parking zone will only go in if it has the support of all the residents. If everyone in Arundel, for example, was strongly against a CPZ, the county council would not force it on them."
Councillor Roger Elkins thought the scheme would bring many benefits.
"If we can remove cars when they are parked on double yellow lines, this will make it easier to move around town.
"I know that the villages, including Rustington, will welcome this, because it brings the parking enforcement that have been asking for."
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