More than 180 parking tickets issued to drivers in the Witterings and Manhood Peninsula

The council has stepped up its parking patrols in coastal areas in response to an increase in ‘dangerous and obstructive parking’, a spokesman said.
Signs around West Wittering yesterdaySigns around West Wittering yesterday
Signs around West Wittering yesterday

Civil enforcement officers (CEOs) have issued more than 180 penalty charge notices (PCNs) to drivers who have not parked in line with restrictions in the Witterings and Manhood Peninsula since Friday (May 22), the council has revealed.

The West Wittering Estate opened its car park for the first time yesterday but with significantly reduced capacity in order to meet social distancing rules.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As a result, parking spaces have to be pre-booked before travelling to the area – read more about how the system works here.

The roads near the beachThe roads near the beach
The roads near the beach

The district council is reminding people intending to travel to West Wittering that if they do not have a pre-booked space at the estate car park, not to travel there.

Councillor Martyn Bell, Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration at Chichester District Council said: “Residents in West Wittering and Selsey are rightly very concerned at the amount of dangerous and illegal parking that has been happening, and I would like to reassure residents in our coastal areas that we are doing absolutely everything in our powers to address their concerns.

“During the summer we always factor-in enforcement in our coastal areas as there are more visitors, but due to the current circumstances we have increased the number of CEOs patrolling these areas.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have been carrying out extra patrols since lockdown measures were relaxed on May 13 and will continue to focus on this.

“We have also been liaising very closely with the police and local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) as well as making sure that our own council-run car parks are open.

“In Selsey, we have also opened up the overflow parking on the Marine Drive car park to encourage visitors not to park on the roads.

People are turning up for a day out at the beach in West Wittering who haven’t pre-booked a parking space.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“After finding out they can’t park there, they are then parking in residential roads, often parking on yellow lines or blocking pavements and verges and causing serious obstruction.

“This is both dangerous and inconsiderate to emergency vehicles and pedestrians, especially those who have disabilities, or those with young children and prams who are then forced out into the road.

“Unfortunately we have had instances of drivers willing to accept a fine so they can enjoy a day out at the beach, but we would urge people to reconsider their stay if they don’t have a pre-booked space at the West Wittering car park or if cannot park in one of the council’s own car parks in Selsey.”

The council’s CEOs are only able to take action against a vehicle where there are yellow lines or sign restrictions in place, a council spokesman confirmed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They are not able to take action in private roads or on pavements or driveways where there are no restrictions in place – these would be dealt with by the police, the spokesman said.

Members of the public should contact the police if there is an immediate problem which is a danger to the highway.

For more information about Chichester District Council’s Parking Services, see https://www.chichester.gov.uk/parking

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.