Caravan owners issued parking ban after residents' complaints

Certain vehicles will be banned from parking overnight in one area due to a new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). Caravans have been banned from stopping on unrestricted parking places along Mill Road, Arundel, in West Sussex due to a major new rule.

The restrictions will be kept in place from 10pm to 9am, preventing overnight stops. The new regulations were introduced at the beginning of April after Arundel Town Council and West Sussex County Council came together to introduce the restriction. It came after residents’ concerns about the impact caravans were having on the area.

Locals were worried caravans would have an impact on tourism and the amount of free parking available for residents.

Meanwhile, there were also fears that the caravans were having an environmental impact, with some owners dumping waste.

A statement from West Sussex County Council read: “An overnight parking ban was implemented on Mill Road, Arundel using signing, to prohibit motor caravans from parking overnight.

"At the same time, some existing road markings were refreshed and seasonal toad migratory warning signs were installed.”

However, more than a dozen signs were ripped out just weeks after the rules were implemented.

Arundel Town Council confirmed that enforcement had been made “impossible” with so many road signs having been removed.

A spokesperson for Arundel Town Council said: “We can confirm that 14 of the signs have been unlawfully removed. While the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) remains in place, this removal has unfortunately made enforcement impossible at this time.

“West Sussex County Council (WSCC) is actively working to get the replacements sorted as soon as possible, and the new signs will include anti-vandal attachments to prevent future incidents.”

West Sussex Council confirmed they have already arranged for the signs to be replaced. However, they branded the move “disappointing” after admitting the scheme had been adopted on the backing of those living nearby.

The council explained: “We are aware that a number of parking signs along Mill Road were removed over the Easter Bank holiday weekend.

“This is disappointing as the scheme has been delivered in response to requests from the local community to more effectively manage parking in the area.

“The County Council has arranged for these signs to be replaced and put in place further measures to deter future vandalism.”