Residents fear that their street will be used as a dumping area for cars by people without a parking permit.
Their fears were sparked by an increase in drivers who have abandoned vehicles on both sides of Davey Drive in Hollingdean and got buses on Line 50 in trouble in the past few weeks.
People who live in the Davey Drive and Horton Road area have complained of smashed wing mirrors, restricted view for children attending school, and a lack of parking near their homes.
Parking has only recently become common on both sides of Davey Drive, and neighbors have posted double yellow lines or parking restrictions on social media.
They seem to prefer a “light touch” program, with restrictions of an hour twice a day to prevent people from leaving their vehicles for days or even weeks.
Works councilwoman Theresa Fowler, who represents the Hollingdean and Stanmer community, said the additional cars could be the result of being evicted from a new controlled parking area on Surrenden Road.
She took up the problem with the Brighton and Hove City Council motorway and parking teams – and her family has seen the problem firsthand.
Her husband was on a bus that couldn’t go up Davey Drive because parked cars were blocking the way.
She is trying to take action ahead of a consultation scheduled for February on the parking system.
Councilor Fowler said, “Parking has only gotten worse lately. There are several reasons it’s been going bad lately and that has to do with Hollingdean being advertised as a free car park.
“So it could be that people who used to park on Surrenden and Coombe Road are now using Hollingdean.
“In addition, the students recently returned to Brighton, although the dormitory on Hollingdean Road is said to be car-free. I’m sure the students realized they could park on Davey Drive.
“There are also reports of someone parking a work car overnight and on weekends and then getting into a car.
“So this may also be related to the addition of a second car or van, so they’re using Hollingdean to park for free instead of paying for two permits.
“I think it’s getting dangerous all over Hollingdean as cars are now parked dangerously on every corner in Hollingbury Rise as well.”
Council officials told Councilor Fowler they could take no action against people parking on the sidelines.
And any future double yellow lines would have to go through a three-week consultation process, but officials appeared to be waiting for the controlled parking zone consultation in February.
Councilor Theresa Fowler
Horton Road and Hollingdean Road are listed on the Road Trip Heroes website and app and direct drivers to free parking in Brighton and Hove.
One of the people directly affected is Sam Burgess of Davey Drive, who said she had difficulty parking her van near her home as there were more cars in the area.
She said, “I have a van that I can never find a place for. I saw how many buses got stuck down there, even when bus drivers had to get out and steer other traffic out of the way.
“While we wait for the consultation in February, surely the Council can double-yellow this page? They did it on the corner of Horton Road (and) Davey Drive to prevent people from parking there. “
