EXPERIMENTAL parking restrictions that make it harder to park near the University of Worcester have been met with a variety of views.

The new rules, which came into force three weeks ago, apply to a handful of main roads in St John’s but have already affected a lot of people.

The restrictions – which include a ban on any waiting (double yellow lines), a ban on waiting between 8.30am and 5pm (single yellow lines) and limiting waiting to one hour – have been introduced by transport bosses to help cope with an increase in buses caused by the expansion of the university.

For months, residents living near the campus have complained about staff and students parking in their streets and blocking pavements.

It is hoped that the new parking orders, in Henwick Road, Laugherne Road, Comer Gardens, Comer Road, Oldbury Road and Fern Road, will ease congestion.

A 12-month consultation period is now open. Sue Morris, of Comer Road, welcomed the orders but had hoped to see more of an improvement on her street. The 40-year-old part-time teacher, herself a former University of Worcester student, said: “It’s still difficult to get in and out of the driveway.

“We haven’t got a problem with the students at all and it’s great that the university is expanding, but they should have put something in place to ensure it’s not to the detriment of other people.”

Geoff Osbourne, of Laugherne Road, said: “It’s about time that they did something and it seems to be working for now. But the problem hasn’t been solved; it has just been pushed elsewhere.”

The restrictions are the first phase in Worcestershire County Council’s two-part scheme with the second phase targeting side streets.

Councillor Derek Prodger, county council’s cabinet member for transport and safe environment, said: “The parking restrictions have been introduced in response to residents' concerns and to free up the flow of traffic in the area.

“We understand the restrictions won’t be appreciated by everybody but the general feedback since they were implemented has been reasonably positive. We do take all representations from the public very seriously as ultimately this is a scheme designed to benefit them and their community by freeing up the flow of traffic, and all points made will be given careful consideration.”

Worcester City Council is responsible for enforcing the restrictions and has reported that 80 per cent of the feedback from residents has been positive, with many asking for the restrictions to be actively enforced. John Scarborough, head of governance and corporate support, said: “Officers have issued a number of penalty charge notices to vehicles parked in contravention of the new restrictions, as well as those already in place. Routine patrols will be continuing.”

For full details on the restrictions see worcestershire.gov.uk/parking, call 01905 765765 or e-mail roadtrafficregs@worcestershire.gov.uk.